1 Introduction

Discusses the importance of constructing China's independent knowledge system in the context of globalization, emphasizing the critical role of foreign language education in cultural exchange and dissemination, as well as the mission and responsibility of foreign language education journals in promoting academic innovation and knowledge system development.

2 Significance and Connotation of Constructing China's Independent Knowledge System for Foreign Language Education

Highlights the importance of constructing an independent knowledge system for China's foreign language education, noting its profound impact on national strategy, disciplinary development, and academic journal growth. At the national level, building an independent knowledge system is key to achieving academic autonomy, enhancing international academic discourse power and influence, and serves as a cultural and intellectual safeguard for advancing educational modernization and national rejuvenation. In terms of disciplinary development, while achievements have been made in China's applied linguistics and foreign language education research, challenges such as insufficient innovation and reliance on Western theories persist. Constructing an independent knowledge system can drive disciplinary transformation and yield theoretical outcomes reflective of China's educational practices. For journal development, academic journals, as leaders in academic innovation, can effectively promote the construction of an independent knowledge system by publishing research findings and organizing discussions. The connotation of China's independent knowledge system for foreign language education includes grounding in the educational philosophy of socialism with Chinese characteristics, drawing from China's excellent traditional culture, and being led by Chinese scholars. It is characterized by originality, systematicity, and local distinctiveness, aiming to address issues in China's foreign language education practices while contributing to global foreign language education development. The system emphasizes Chinese characteristics while avoiding cultural nationalism, embodying an open and inclusive academic attitude. Chinese foreign language education researchers should integrate China's realities with international perspectives, propose innovative theories, develop innovative practices, and engage in international dissemination and exchange to enhance global influence.

3 Framework for Constructing China's Independent Knowledge System for Foreign Language Education

Proposes a framework for constructing China's independent knowledge system for foreign language education, comprising two main components: promoting local research innovation and enhancing international dissemination effectiveness. For local research innovation, it emphasizes a problem-oriented approach, focusing on China's practical issues, distinguishing between "researchable problems" and "worthwhile problems," and prioritizing key contradictions and theoretical gaps. It advocates innovation-driven efforts, moving beyond simple citations of Western theories to construct a foreign language education theoretical system with Chinese characteristics, such as the "Production-Oriented Approach" and "Continuation Theory." It also stresses practical validation, establishing a "theory-practice-retheory" cycle mechanism and strengthening collaboration to form research synergy. For international dissemination effectiveness, it highlights the need to enhance international awareness, accurately grasp and introduce global academic frontiers, and strategically promote the internationalization of Chinese achievements. It calls for bridging Chinese and foreign discourses, refining identifiable academic concepts, constructing a mutually intelligible expression system, and conducting comparative studies of Chinese and Western academic concepts. It also advocates deepening exchange and mutual learning, adhering to the principle of equal dialogue, innovating international cooperation models, and elevating China's academic discourse power. Through systematic advancement of these pathways, a new academic landscape with theoretical, methodological, and discursive autonomy can be formed, providing solid theoretical support for China's foreign language education development and contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to global foreign language education.

4 Practical Explorations of Frontiers of Foreign Language Education Research

Academic journals play a central role in knowledge production, dissemination, and innovation, holding strategic significance for constructing China's independent knowledge system for foreign language education. Since its inception in 2008, the journal Frontiers of Foreign Language Education Research has been committed to serving China's foreign language education, exploring theories and practices with Chinese characteristics, and providing a platform and support for building an independent knowledge system. The journal aids this construction through practices such as highlighting its distinctive features, carefully planning topics, nurturing its author base, and strengthening domestic and international dialogue and exchange.

The journal's distinctiveness is reflected in four aspects: disciplinary professionalism, cutting-edge focus, applicability, and comprehensiveness. It specializes in theoretical and practical innovations in foreign language education, tracks domestic and international trends in foreign language education reform and development, encourages practice-oriented exploration and innovation under theoretical guidance, values empirical and action research, and comprehensively covers all languages and educational stages to build a systematic and complete foreign language education knowledge system.

In topic planning, the journal combines regular columns with special features to showcase theoretical and practical innovations in China's foreign language education. Special features fall into four categories: addressing local issues and serving national strategies to promote teaching reform; focusing on disciplinary frontiers and conducting systematic research to lead disciplinary innovation; highlighting specific topics to systematically present China's innovations in foreign language education theories and methods; and encouraging scholars to integrate Chinese and foreign wisdom to drive research innovation and international dissemination through exchange and mutual learning.

In author development, the journal provides systematic training programs and innovative peer-review mechanisms to offer talent support for constructing China's independent knowledge system for foreign language education. Training activities are systematic, regular, and integrate theory with practice, reflecting digital innovation. The peer-review mechanism is rigorous yet supportive, ensuring academic quality while fostering author growth.

In academic exchange, the journal actively engages in international cooperation and academic activities, serving as a vital platform for constructing and disseminating China's independent knowledge system for foreign language education. It collaborates with internationally renowned publishers to provide channels for the global dissemination of Chinese foreign language education research. It also organizes high-level academic events to facilitate Sino-foreign academic dialogue and promote the international recognition of China's original theories.

5 Conclusion and Outlook

Emphasizes the pivotal role of Frontiers of Foreign Language Education Research in constructing China's independent knowledge system for foreign language education, including guiding academic direction, aggregating innovative outcomes, cultivating research talent, and fostering international dialogue. The journal will continue to focus on major issues in China's foreign language education, nurture a research team with innovative awareness and international vision, prioritize digital transformation, and promote the global dissemination of China's foreign language education theories. Constructing China's independent knowledge system for foreign language education requires the collective efforts of all foreign language educators. The journal will work alongside educators to build a foreign language education system with Chinese characteristics and advance the high-quality development of foreign language education.