Interpreting and shaping geopolitics in Chinese media: the discourse of the ‘New style of great power relations’

ABSTRACT

Chinese leaders have attempted to alleviate international anxiety about its rise to global prominence describing its development as a ‘peaceful rise’ or ‘peaceful development’. Most recently, Chinese leaders have begun deploying a new term, the ‘New Style of Great Power Relations’ (新型大国关系). The purpose of this study is to examine the treatment of the ‘New Style of Great Power Relations’ as a political slogan within the Chinese media as a means to shape a geopolitical worldview among Chinese citizens and international actors. Researchers identified 541 articles from 25 different Chinese media sources selected to represent varying levels of government influence and editorial perspectives. This study found the concept primarily intended to engage the United States by stressing cooperative aspects of U.S.–China relations, but also challenges specific U.S. actions. Those U.S. policies challenged within the Chinese media are portrayed as inconsistent with the ‘new style’ concept’s principles. This forms a ‘rhetorical trap’, as it were for the United States, in that the framing of the discourse implicates U.S. intentions and policies as disingenuous unless the United States changes its policy stances. The essay examines the implications of the discourse for understanding Chinese political communication.

KEYWORDS:

• China
• geopolitics
• new style
• great powers
• diplomacy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Robert S. Hinck is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Communication at Texas A&M University.

Jacquelyn N. Manly (Ph.D., Texas A&M University) is an independent researcher in Chicago, IL.

Randolph A. Kluver (Ph.D., University of Southern California) is a Professor of Communication at Texas A&M University.

William J. Norris (Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is an Associate Professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.

Notes

1. For more on the international relations literature on this topic, see Curtis (2015), Tammen and Kugler (2006), and Friedberg, 2005.

2. We hope that the sea floor [sic]: The United States and China to have more cooperative thinking. Source: Chinese Communist Party (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 9/8/2014 7:33:18 am GMT.

3. Japan surprise: China shows a new map initiative of the attention of the world [sic]. Source: Tiexue (Chinese) – WebPage Captured: 9/10/2014 2:45:47 am GMT.

4. Japan surprise: reflected a new map of China’s deep, an initiative of the attention of the world. Source: Tiexue (Chinese) – WebPage Captured: 9/10/2014 2:45:47 am GMT.

5. Xi Jinping meets U.S. Defence Secretary Hagel. Source: Sohu News (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 8/22/2014 11:03:53 am GMT.

6. Meeting with Susan Rice Fan Changlong expressed hope that the US side will stop ship and plane reconnaissance activities close to China. Source: Ifeng News (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 9/9/2014 10:46:44 am GMT.

7. International Forum, the need for new relations In the United States. Source: Chinese Communist Party (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 8/22/2014 10:31:18 pm GMT.

8. Chun Ying is questioned about ‘China’s massive Island in South China Sea.’ Source: News 163 (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 9/9/2014 7:24:00 pm GMT.

9. The United States National Geographic Society and Chinese embassy holds a reception for global partners. Source: Ministry Foreign Affairs (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 9/11/2014 3:15:59 pm GMT

10. Xi Jinping Meets US President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Susan Rice. Source: China Mil (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 9/10/2014 5:02:10 am GMT.

11. The U.S. Southern California Chinese Consulate celebrated the 35th anniversary of established diplomatic relations with the Southern California's Industrial and Commercial circles. Source: Ministry Foreign Affairs (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 9/13/2014 8:54:02 pm GMT.

12. Wang Yi, more results in promoting relations with the United States. Source: Zhongguo Qingnian Bao (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 10/1/2014 7:50:30 pm GMT.

13. China’s response to ‘extremist organization claimed responsibility for the Ulu wooden Jen 4.30 [sic] responsible for terrorist attacks’. Source: News 163 (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 9/12/2014 3:36:40 am GMT.

14. The Ministry of Defence spokesman Yang Yu Jun answered reporters’ questions. Source: China Mil (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 8/30/2014 7:21:37 am GMT.

15. U.S. Ambassador Cui visits Annapolis Children’'s Museum's ‘Qin terracotta warriors’ opening ceremony. Source: Ministry Foreign Affairs (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 8/25/2014 11:41:14 am GMT.

16. Xi Jinping in Denmark, meets with the Indian Prime Minister. Source: Enlightenment Daily (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 9/10/2014 6:53:43 pm GMT.

17. Luo, also face provocation against the United States warplanes [sic]. Source: Sohu News (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 8/27/2014 11:33:59 am GMT.

18. Expert on military strategy and mutual trust in the development of relations between the United States. Source: Xinhuanet (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 9/13/2014 4:55:09 pm GMT.

19. Chinese leaders focus on the bottom line with highly efficient and pragmatic diplomacy. Source: Chinese Communist Party (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 9/9/2014 10:15:00 am GMT.

20. We hope that the sea floor [sic]: why the United States is always looking for excuses. Source: Chinese Communist Party (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 8/30/2014 1:10:23 am GMT.

21. The ministry urged the U.S. side to stop reconnaissance activities close to China. Source: Sina (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 8/26/2014 1:25:24 am GMT.

22. Fu Ying, the United States ‘and I went to help me thinking’ [sic] unacceptable to China. Source: Chinese Communist Party (Chinese) – WebPage captured: 8/22/2014 9:49:57 pm GMT.