Research on Strategies for Disseminating a Vivid Chinese Image from the Perspective of Para-Social Interaction Theory: A Case Study of Zhu Zitong, Host of Phoenix TV's Talk with World Leaders

In recent years, the construction and dissemination of national images have become key topics in international relations and cultural exchanges, playing a crucial role in enhancing citizens' sense of national identity and pride. Against the backdrop of the ever-changing international economic and political landscape, the dissemination of China's image faces practical challenges, such as audience resistance and an overly propagandistic tone. The report from the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized the need to accelerate the construction of a Chinese discourse and narrative system, tell Chinas story well, disseminate China's voice effectively, and present a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China. With the continuous development of new media technologies, strengthening the relationship between communicators and audiences has become a key factor in spreading a vivid image of China. From the perspective of para-social interaction theory, this paper examines para-social interaction and the dissemination of China's image on social media, using Zhu Zitong, host of Phoenix TV's Talk with World Leaders, as a case study. It analyzes how Zhu connects with audiences through television programs and social media platforms, establishes emotional resonance, and deepens emotional identification, thus contributing to the dissemination of a vivid image of China. The paper further explores strategies to optimize the dissemination of this image.