Recently, the Shanghai International College of Fashion and Creative Innovation held an appointment ceremony for adjunct professors, inviting Sun Xinxi, an outstanding alumnus of Donghua University and senior media professional, to join as an adjunct professor.

Li Jun, Dean of the College, presented the appointment letter to him, expressing the hope that his rich experience in the media industry would further support the development of his alma mater and inspire students.After the ceremony, Professor Sun Xinxi gave a special lecture From Media to Oriental Aesthetics for hundreds of freshmen.

With his extensive experience across media, branding and culture, he painted a contemporary fashion picture of Oriental aesthetics for students just stepping into the field of design.

Following the ceremony, Professor Sun delivered a keynote lecture titled “From Media to Eastern Aesthetics”to hundreds of new students. Drawing on his rich cross-disciplinary experience spanning media, branding, and culture, he offered valuable insights and painted a compelling picture of contemporary Eastern aesthetics for those just beginning their journey in the world of design.

Sun Xinxi is an outstanding alumnus of Donghua University, founder of XITANG, a senior media professional and creative practitioner.He served as Editor-in-Chief of ELLE DECORATION China, an internationally renowned home design magazine, for nearly a decade, and Founding Creative Director of AD China.He later became Creative Director of SHANG XIA, a brand founded by Hermès, promoting the expansion and innovation of integrating Oriental aesthetics and Western art.He has long been deeply engaged in professional media, brand building, art aesthetics and cultural curation.With his keen insight into aesthetic trends and brand strategies, he has been invited as a juror for international awards including the Red Dot Design Award and French DNA Design Award. Through his ongoing work, he continues to amplify the voice of Eastern aesthetics on the global design stage.

01 What is the contemporary value of Balanced Realm?

It is not conservative traditionalism, but the root of innovation.The core of Eastern aesthetics lies not in superficial retro symbols, but in a mindset and methodology. Zhong refers to a latent, natural state — the balance and clarity of emotions and thoughts before they emerge .He means order and moderation in the operation of all things, the beauty of harmony achieved in dynamic interaction.Zhonghe (Balanced Realm) is the aesthetic answer to finding clarity amid complexity and maintaining restraint within freedom.It is the core of our culture, a future-oriented aesthetic approach, and a timeless spiritual expression for the present.It provides a philosophical foundation for drawing inspiration from tradition and creating a new design language that truly belongs to our time.

02 How to translate the Beauty of Zhongh（(Balanced Realm）e into aesthetic practice?

Through five integrated pathways of practice, a tangible and accessible world of aesthetics is brought to life.

XITANG translates the philosophy of Zhonghe into actionable frameworks: curatorial projects, Eastern-style cultural gatherings, aesthetic education, brand consultancy, and spatial experiences. In doing so, it transforms the exploration of Eastern aesthetics from an individual perception into a systematic and publicly engaged practice.This approach allows aesthetics to be experienced, understood, and embodied through multiple formats—be it an exhibition, a tea gathering, a lecture, or a brand revitalisation project. In this way, Eastern aesthetics moves beyond abstraction and becomes fully integrated into contemporary life.

03 How to prevent Innovative Inheritance of Chinese Culture from becoming an empty slogan?

The highest level of inheritance does not lie in replicating forms, but in continuing the lineage of cultural context and wisdom.Authentic innovation in heritage emerges from the integration of cross-disciplinary learning—art, design, and culture—and the convergence of a global perspective with local roots.

At its core, this approach requires an understanding of the craftsmanship embedded in Eastern aesthetics—its principle of learning from nature—as well as its philosophy of creation grounded in Zhonghe (balance and harmony). At the same time, it calls for an openness to diverse cultures and global dialogues, enabling the reinterpretation, reconstruction, and re-creation of traditions through contemporary language.

This process positions creators not merely as artisans, but as translators of civilisation—individuals who carry forward cultural genes and allow them to evolve and thrive within the context of modern society, infused with renewed vitality.

04 What cultural mission should we undertake for the future?

To become creators of the New Oriental Narrative.This means not only interpreting the past, but creating for the future —in the temporal dimension of history and the present,This demands a spirit of cross-disciplinary integration, innovation, balance (Zhonghe), and responsibility. The ultimate goal is to bring Oriental aesthetics to a wider global stage through contemporary expression,offering the world a life philosophy of balance, harmony and depth.

Professor Sun Xinxi encouraged the students that the future path of design is also a journey of discovering cultural identity.He hoped they would deeply understand the mission of innovative inheritance of Chinese culture,draw wisdom from the Realm of Zhonghe,integrate global vision with local roots,dare to explore and break through, and find their own direction for the future.This is not only about personal achievement,but about how a generation can use contemporary design language to tell the world a new story of China — inclusive, innovative and deeply confident in it culture heritage.