Exploring solutions to the international communication dilemma in the post-truth era: a case study of China–Malaysia co-produced

Research Article
Open access

Exploring solutions to the international communication dilemma in the post-truth era: a case study of China–Malaysia co-produced

Ran Cui 1* , Yixuan Yan 2
  • 1 Xi’an International Studies University    
  • 2 Xi’an International Studies University    
  • *corresponding author cecenier666@163.com
Published on 10 June 2025 | https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7102/2025.24039
ASBR Vol.16 Issue 4
ISSN (Print): 2753-7110
ISSN (Online): 2753-7102

Abstract

The communication dilemma of the post-truth era presents both new challenges and opportunities for China’s international communication efforts. In this era, emotions tend to override factual logic, making Western content with ideological biases more easily disseminated; cultural discount in cross-cultural exchanges becomes harder to mitigate; the imbalance in global discourse power restricts communication; and the implementation of domestic communication strategies remains suboptimal. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, this paper analyzes two co-produced documentaries—The Story of Time: Water Flows Unbroken and A Joyous Union of Lotus and Lychee—as representative case studies. It examines how these documentaries accurately identify the needs of foreign audiences, tell China’s stories effectively, and promote the international dissemination of Chinese culture and the positive construction of the national image in the post-truth era. The paper proposes feasible approaches to overcoming communication dilemmas and further advancing the building of a shared future for mankind.

Keywords:

post-truth era, communication dilemma, co-produced documentaries, international communication, China–Malaysia community of shared future

Cui,R.;Yan,Y. (2025). Exploring solutions to the international communication dilemma in the post-truth era: a case study of China–Malaysia co-produced. Advances in Social Behavior Research,16(4),41-46.
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References

[1]. Liu, M., & Keane, J. (2018). Media and democracy in the “post-truth era”: An interview with renowned political scientist Professor John Keane. International Communication, 40(6), 162–172. https://doi.org/10.13495/j.cnki.cjjc.2018.06.010

[2]. Huang, Q. (2021). Discourse bias in U.S. mainstream media’s portrayal of China’s image: A case study of COVID-19 reporting. Foreign Language and Literature, 37(4), 85–96. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6414.2021.04.011

[3]. Yan, Y. (2008). “Cultural discount” and product strategies in China’s foreign cultural trade. Modern Economic Research, (2), 52–55, 65.

[4]. Chen, Z., Zhou, J., & Li, B. (2014). On the essence of international discourse power: With a discussion on China’s role in enhancing international discourse influence. Zhejiang Social Sciences, (7), 78–83, 158. https://doi.org/10.14167/j.zjss.2014.07.035

[5]. Hu, Y. (2017). Communication in the post-truth era: Also on the current crisis of professional journalism. Journal of Northwest Normal University (Social Sciences), 54(6), 28–35. https://doi.org/10.16783/j.cnki.nwnus.2017.06.004

[6]. Xu, Y. (2023). International communication of shared human values: Interpretation, challenges, and optimization paths. Journal of Zhejiang Gongshang University, (1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.14134/j.cnki.cn33-1337/c.2023.01.001

[7]. Zhao, Y. (2016). Telling the story of rural China well. International Communication, (2), 21-33.

[8]. Tang, W. (2023). Promoting a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China: The practice of international communication by People.cn from the perspective of empathetic communication. International Communication, (2), 32–38.

[9]. Yang, Y., & Yang, L. (2024). A study on the external communication strategies of China-themed co-produced documentaries: A case study of China on the Move, Season 2. News Trend, (1), 13–16.

[10]. Li, X. (2023). A narrative study of China-themed documentaries from the “other” perspective [Master’s thesis, Shanxi University]. https://doi.org/10.27284/d.cnki.gsxiu.2023.002108

Cite this article

Cui,R.;Yan,Y. (2025). Exploring solutions to the international communication dilemma in the post-truth era: a case study of China–Malaysia co-produced. Advances in Social Behavior Research,16(4),41-46.

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The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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Journal：Advances in Social Behavior Research

Volume number: Vol.16
Issue number: Issue 4
ISSN：2753-7102(Print) / 2753-7110(Online)

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References

[1]. Liu, M., & Keane, J. (2018). Media and democracy in the “post-truth era”: An interview with renowned political scientist Professor John Keane. International Communication, 40(6), 162–172. https://doi.org/10.13495/j.cnki.cjjc.2018.06.010

[2]. Huang, Q. (2021). Discourse bias in U.S. mainstream media’s portrayal of China’s image: A case study of COVID-19 reporting. Foreign Language and Literature, 37(4), 85–96. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6414.2021.04.011

[3]. Yan, Y. (2008). “Cultural discount” and product strategies in China’s foreign cultural trade. Modern Economic Research, (2), 52–55, 65.

[4]. Chen, Z., Zhou, J., & Li, B. (2014). On the essence of international discourse power: With a discussion on China’s role in enhancing international discourse influence. Zhejiang Social Sciences, (7), 78–83, 158. https://doi.org/10.14167/j.zjss.2014.07.035

[5]. Hu, Y. (2017). Communication in the post-truth era: Also on the current crisis of professional journalism. Journal of Northwest Normal University (Social Sciences), 54(6), 28–35. https://doi.org/10.16783/j.cnki.nwnus.2017.06.004

[6]. Xu, Y. (2023). International communication of shared human values: Interpretation, challenges, and optimization paths. Journal of Zhejiang Gongshang University, (1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.14134/j.cnki.cn33-1337/c.2023.01.001

[7]. Zhao, Y. (2016). Telling the story of rural China well. International Communication, (2), 21-33.

[8]. Tang, W. (2023). Promoting a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China: The practice of international communication by People.cn from the perspective of empathetic communication. International Communication, (2), 32–38.

[9]. Yang, Y., & Yang, L. (2024). A study on the external communication strategies of China-themed co-produced documentaries: A case study of China on the Move, Season 2. News Trend, (1), 13–16.

[10]. Li, X. (2023). A narrative study of China-themed documentaries from the “other” perspective [Master’s thesis, Shanxi University]. https://doi.org/10.27284/d.cnki.gsxiu.2023.002108

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