Othering as mediated soft-power practice: Chinese diplomatic communication of discourse about China-US trade war through the British press. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Liping
• Is Part Of: Discourse, context & media. Volume 51(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Chinese diplomatic discourse -- Mediated soft-power practice -- Othering offensive -- China-US trade war -- the British press -- Discourse-Historical Approach; Discourse analysis -- Periodicals; Digital media -- Periodicals; Mass media and language -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; Communication; Digital media; Discourse analysis; Mass media and language; Periodicals; 401.4105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dcm.2023.100669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-6958

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examines how Chinese Ambassador to the UK has employed Othering offensive to construct China-US trade war when publishing opinion pieces in the British press to promote China's image and seek partenership. It draws on Discourse-Historical Approach to Critical Discourse Studies. The analysis demonstrates how the Ambassador has used strategies, such as nomination, predication and argumentation, to construct the US as a negative Other to delegitimize its trade policies and actions. Meanwhile, Othering serves as a foil for indirectly constructing a positive Chinese Self as a responsible major country and a positive 'We-group' between China and the US European allies. It sheds some light on understanding the workings of Chinese diplomatic discourse in legitimating China's worldview on 'rules-based international order'. It also contributes to understanding the interplay between the media logic of British/Western press and the soft-power efforts of Chinese/non-Western government. The role of British/Western press in Chinese/counterhegemonic diplomats' mediated soft-power practice is both enabling and constraining.