Research on the Semantic Network of Lanzhou-Related Toponyms in Social Media and Its Application in International Chinese Language Education under the Belt and Road Initiative

As the Belt and Road Initiative continues to expand and deepen, cultural exchanges among countries along the route have become increasingly frequent. For that reason, it is paramount for international Chinese language education to tap into cultural resources that embody regional characteristics, carry historical memories, and demonstrate contemporary relevance to help learners gain a deeper understanding of Chinese society and its cultural wealth so as to enhance their competence in cross-cultural communication. Lanzhou is undoubtedly one of the crucial hubs of the Belt and Road Initiative. The toponymic system of Lanzhou is not only embedded with the historical memories of Yellow River civilization and the cultural imprints of multi-ethnic integration, but also demonstrates distinctive linguistic features and unique cultural transmission value in social media nowadays. Based on 3,147 entries from the REDNote (XiaoHongShu) platform, the study employed computational linguistics methods to construct a semantic network of Lanzhou-related place names and found that it revolves around the Yellow River and comprises seven major functional communities, thus revealing the spatial pattern of Lanzhou as a ‘belt-shape’ city. By identifying a number of place names of high centrality values, the study has built a teaching resource database that caters to the needs of different grades, developed a highly visual teaching system, and explored innovative data-driven approaches to toponymic education. By integrating place name recognition, spatial perception, and cultural understanding, the present research provides innovative theoretical support and practical solutions for international Chinese language education under the Belt and Road Initiative and serves as an example of promoting Chinese culture in a precise manner.

Keywords

Belt and Road Initiative, Semantic Network of Toponyms, Social Media Data, International Chinese Language Education, Lanzhou Culture

source

International Journal of Chinese Language Education; Dec 2025; Issue No. 18; p.171-191

Language

Chinese