What Is the Definition of Communication?

Communication: the exchange and transmission of information between people, or between people and nature, through certain behaviors or media. In a broad sense, it refers to the accurate and secure transfer of information from one party to another, by any method and through any medium, between two or more parties who require the information, provided that this does not violate the will of either party.

Tong (通): unobstructed, able to pass through, able to reach; to understand, to be thoroughly clear; to convey; to exchange and connect; universal, all-encompassing; improper sexual relations between men and women.

Xin (信): honest, not deceptive; not doubtful, considered reliable; to believe in; news; letters; casual, unrestrained; the central part of an object; the wick installed in a utensil; the tongues of snakes and sheep.

Methods of communication: primarily visual and auditory transmission in ancient times—beacon towers, drumbeats, semaphore, and modern telecommunications—as well as physical transmission methods such as relay stations with fast horses, carrier pigeons, and postal communication. In ancient times, long-distance communication took at least several days, whereas modern communication is primarily telecommunications-based, such as telegraph, telephone, express mail, SMS, and E-MAIL, with emphasis on real-time communication. As a natural science, postal communication better reflects the harmony and interaction between humans and nature; however, in the current era focused on economic interests, the relationship between humans and nature is often neglected, making postal communication less readily accepted compared to real-time communication.

E-MAIL. The U.S. Federal Communications Act defines communication as including telecommunications and broadcast television. It should be noted that this communications act is not applicable to China, as China has long valued the humanistic and natural view of "harmony between heaven and humanity" and the pursuit of harmonious coexistence among people.

China's Telecommunications Regulation defines telecommunications as including public telecommunications and broadcast television. China's Postal Law is being continuously improved in accordance with the Universal Postal Convention while taking into account China's national conditions.