Amidst the rapid development of digital technology, profound adjustments in globalization, and increasingly intense competition in international public opinion, western international communication theories have proven inadequate in effectively explaining China’s practical approaches. Constructing an independent knowledge system with Chinese characteristics has thus become an urgent task for China’s international communication studies. This paper transcends the traditional binary framework of globalism and statism by proposing a tripartite macro-theoretical paradigm comprising globalism, statism, and post-nationalism, responding to new realities in international communication practices, such as the rise of non-state actors in the digital age. The globalism paradigm advocates a pluralistic and coexistent globalization, seeking to bridge meaning systems between China and the West, fully respect cultural differences among nations, and establish an egalitarian and decentralized world communication order; the statism paradigm, emphasizes safeguarding national sovereignty, promotes independent construction of international communication infrastructure, and underscores the importance of maintaining a confrontational awareness in the public opinion warfare; the post-nationalism paradigm focuses on the communication practices of non-state actors and highlights the role of individuals in international communication practices, arguing that individual free choice and self-expression will be the main driving force for China’s international communication in the future. Through a systematic review and comparison of these three paradigms, this paper further constructs an independent knowledge system based on macro-theoretical paradigms, encompassing five dimensions: historical evolution, communication actors, content narratives, channel strategies, and audience effects. This system integrates theoretical speculation with practical orientation, providing an analytical tool for examining complex and dynamic international communication phenomena, aiming to provide theoretical support for advancing innovation in China’s international communication theory.