Xiguang Li

Xiguang Li is the Executive Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication of Tsinghua University. He was the founding director of the Center for International Communications Studies of Tsinghua University, which was a brainchild of Mr. Wang Daohan, China’s late veteran political figure. As an academic research and education center in China, the center works as a trail blazer in pushing forward the reforms of Chinese press system as well as the journalism education system. Serving as a think tank in press and politics, the center strives for an open press system through press reform.

Li has been leading a national program training health officials, policy makers, government officials and media leaders about important public health issues. During the outbreak of SARS, Li and his center served as a leading think tank and advisory body to the national government and Beijing municipal government. Li has led 10 workshops in Beijing, Henan and Sichuan, training Chinese journalists, editors and media managers on reporting HIV/AIDS.

Drawing on international resources, he is running a regular media forum, debating about press, politics, journalism and media industry. In recent years, Li and his Center has helped organize media events and live coverage for the public speeches of President George Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair, former President Bill Clinton and former French President Giscard d’Eestaing, at Tsinghua University. For international journalists, the Center offers a home where visitors meet with local colleagues and gain access to China through a growing network of professional and academic exchanges.

Li is an author of many books, including (co-authored): Journalism in Transition (2005), The Soft Power and Global Communication (2005), The HIV/AIDS Media Book (2005), The Deformed Press (2004), The Art of Looking for Stories (2003), The Next Media (2002), New Global Communications (2002), Media Power (2002), and Essential Journalism (2002).

Li has received a number of awards in education including Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education by the State Council (2004), China’s Top 10 Educators (2004), The National Best University Course(awarded by the Ministry of Education, 2004), Top 10 New Academicians(awarded by Tsinghua Univesity, 2003), Best Teachers of the Year(awarded by Tsinghua University, 2002), Best Teacher and Good Friend(awarded by Tsinghua Graduate Students Union, 2001).

Li was an Alfred Friendly Press Fellow with the Washington Post in 1995 and a research fellow with the Shorenstein Center for Press, Politics and Public Policy of Harvard University in 1999. He worked as a science writer, editor, senior editor and director of the political desk of Xinhua News Agency for 11 years before he joined Tsinghua University.

Source: University Programs and Events Planning Resources, February 2006