The language of soft power: mediating socio-political meanings in the Chinese media

2020 ◽  
pp. 160-177
Author(s):  
Qing Cao
Keyword(s):  
Soft Power ◽  
Chinese Media

Chinese Television in Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 026327642110120
Author(s):  
Alessandro Jedlowski
Keyword(s):  
Soft Power ◽  
The Political ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Chinese Media ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
The Media ◽  
Chinese Television ◽  
Media Company

On the basis of the results of an ongoing research project on the activities of the Chinese media company StarTimes in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, this paper analyses the fluid and fragmentary dimension of the engagements between Chinese media and African publics, while equally emphasizing the power dynamics that underlie them. Focusing on a variety of ethnographic sources, it argues for an approach to the study of Chinese media expansion in Africa able to take into account, simultaneously, the macro-political and macro-economic factors which condition the nature of China–Africa media interactions, the political intentions behind them (as, for example, the Chinese soft power policies and their translation into specific media contents), and the micro dimension of the practices and uses of the media made by the actors (producers and consumers of media) in the field.

scholarly journals Ong’ong’a: Edutainment through Reality TV Shows in China and its Export

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-46
Author(s):  
Oloo Oloo
Keyword(s):  
Soft Power ◽  
Cultural Difference ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Reality Tv ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Host Countries ◽  
Chinese Media ◽  
Tv Program ◽  
Tv Shows

In recent years, the Chinese media has grown vastly with the country’s interest in the investment in the developing countries. As the relationship with these countries become, so as the influence of Chinese culture towards the nations through the ever-growing Chinese media. Since the implementation of significant projects in Africa, Caribbean and Asia countries by Chinese government, the Chinese media have been characterized in localizing their TV contents to compete with the host countries and stretching their sense of soft power to these nations. Although they have faced significant challenges in terms of cultural difference, and technological development, the Chinese reality TV shows have continued to be part of the regular host countries' TV program diet while facing fierce standpoint from the initial global dominant media in these markets. This paper analyses these trends in focus on the Chinese reality TV shows that have hit the host countries' market as well as the motivation of their evolution. The article traces the extent of these strategies to be leveraged by states to balance their local production and foster cordial relation with China in a context of edutainment. It is imperative to analyze the development of this crucial phenomenon in the ontological perspective of the internationalization and marketization of products. The article addresses these issues by drawing attention from different players in this conspicuous field.

Othering as soft-power discursive practice: China Daily’s construction of Trump’s America in the 2016 presidential election

Politics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengxin Pan ◽  
Benjamin Isakhan ◽  
Zim Nwokora
Keyword(s):  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
The United States ◽  
Discursive Practice ◽  
Discursive Construction ◽  
Discursive Practices ◽  
Chinese Media ◽  
Media Communication ◽  
Power Construction ◽  
The Media

The relationship between Chinese soft power and Chinese media has been a focus of a growing body of literature. Challenging a resource-based conception of soft power and a transmission view of communication that inform much of the debate, this article adopts a discursive approach to soft power and media communication. It argues that their relationship is not just a matter of resource transmission, but one of discursive construction, which begs the questions of what mediated discursive practices are at play in soft power construction and how. Addressing these oft-neglected questions, we identify a typology of three soft-power discursive practices: charm offensive, Othering offensive, and defensive denial. Focusing on the little-understood practice of Othering offensive, we illustrate its presence in Chinese media through a critical discourse analysis of China Daily’s framing of Donald Trump and the United States, and argue that the Othering offensive in Chinese media that portrays Trump’s America as a dysfunctional and declining Other serves to construct a Chinese self as more responsible, dynamic, and attractive. Adding a missing discursive dimension to the study of soft power and the media, this study has both scholarly and practical implications for analysing a nation’s soft power strategy.

scholarly journals If You Are the One and SBS: the cultural economy of difference

2020 ◽  
Vol 175 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-19
Author(s):  
Wanning Sun ◽  
Jing Han
Keyword(s):  
Soft Power ◽  
Cultural Economy ◽  
Chinese Media ◽  
Industry Studies ◽  
The Media ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Broadcasting Service ◽  
The One ◽  
Fear And Anxiety ◽  
Popular Television

If You Are the One ( IYATO) is China’s most popular television dating show. Since Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) bought it 6 years ago, the show has attracted a cult following among English-speaking viewers. SBS subsequently purchased several other Chinese reality shows, and the Seven Network launched its own version of IYATO. But none of these programmes have proven to be as enduringly popular as IYATO. Taking an industry studies approach, this article draws on the inside knowledge of one of the authors, and on interviews with several other SBS employees, to shed light on the media industry’s thinking behind importing cultural products from China, particularly against the backdrop of fear and anxiety about China’s influence. We also ask why IYATO has endeared itself to Australia’s English-speaking viewers in ways that the majority of Chinese media content has not, despite the Chinese government’s myriad soft power initiatives.

scholarly journals China-Africa media relations: What we know so far

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-112
Author(s):  
Herman Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Press Freedom ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Media Relations ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Chinese Media ◽  
African Media ◽  
Media Practices

The increased presence of Chinese media in Africa has been a topic of much debate in recent years, and has given rise to a burgeoning research area. Seen as a platform upon which China can exert its ‘soft power’ in Africa as part of its outward-looking international relations policy, Chinese media has been considered instrumental in portraying a more positive picture of China among African audiences, partly in an attempt to support the expansion of Chinese economic activities on the continent. Critics have however questioned the influence that Chinese media practices may have on journalistic value systems and press freedom on the continent. These criticisms assume that Chinese media may have a big impact on African media, although the empirical basis for such claims have often been lacking.

China’s Global Cultural Interactions

2020 ◽  
pp. 137-155
Author(s):  
Shaun Breslin
Keyword(s):  
Communist Party ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Chinese Communist Party ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Chinese Media ◽  
Mega Events ◽  
International Image ◽  
Confucius Institutes ◽  
Belt And Road

As China continues to “rise” in world affairs, its international image is becoming more and more important. The Chinese Communist Party and government has become interested in—some would say obsessed with—its international image. In recent years it has sponsored mega events such as the Shanghai Expo and Olympic Games, G-20 Summit, and Belt and Road Forums. Beijing has also established Confucius Institutes (CIs) and classrooms worldwide, and has internationalized the Chinese media. This chapter examines China’s “soft power” and traces the historical precedents behind the contemporary promotion of Chinese culture abroad. It finds that, despite enormous investment, China’s internatonal image continues to be mixed and challenged by a number of domestic impediments.

MASS MEDIA AS A TOOL OF THE PRC'S "SOFT POWER" POLICY

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-36
Author(s):  
Nazerke Zhaukeyeva ◽  
◽  
Indira Rystina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
People’S Republic Of China ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
People's Republic Of China ◽  
Chinese Media ◽  
Republic Of China

The article reflects the peculiarities of the application of the theory of "soft power" of the People's Republic of China through the mass media in state policy. In addition, the origin of this theory, the definition of the concept of "soft power" by Chinese researchers, adapted to Chinese society and culture, is given. This theory has gained particular popularity in the country, because it has found harmony with the worldview of the Chinese nation. Modern Chinese media, which, relying on new technologies, are the main tool for implementing this policy, successfully solve their main tasks. In particular, many major Chinese media content is published in English, their presence on the global Internet is increasing, and the scale of distribution is expanding. It is known that in order to spread Chinese culture on a global scale, deepen its acceptance, express a positive attitude to socio-economic modernization and political decisions of the People's Republic of China, the state uses innovative communication methods and actively spreads the Chinese "tone" in the international arena. The Chinese media come to the conclusion that they are effectively pursuing a policy of "soft power", spreading the values and culture of China around the world and thereby forming a positive image of the country. However, it is impossible to come to an unambiguous conclusion that China's soft power is being successfully implemented. After all, within the framework of the US-Chinese confrontation and the "belt and road", the activities of the Chinese media are severely criticized.

scholarly journals From watchdog to lapdog: political influence of China on news reporting in Malawi

Afrika Focus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mwaona Nyirongo
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
News Media ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Diplomatic Relations ◽  
Chinese Media ◽  
News Reporting ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Reports

The arrival of China in Malawi has been characterised by a growing sense of uncertainty among academics who have expressed concern over the intentions of the superpower in the country. There are fears that China would like to extend its influence to Malawi as part of a broader push to increase its influence in global politics and economics. That push is in part exercised through the media. This study analyses the perception of Malawian journalists on news media reports of Chinese activities in Malawi. It uses content analysis to understand how the mediascape had changed from 2001-2007 when China had not yet established diplomatic relations with Malawi, and the period from January 2008-2020 in which diplomatic relations with China have existed. The article examines the shifts in journalistic representations of China in Malawi and develops prompts and probes from which journalist interviews were conducted. From the content analysis, it appears that from 2001-2007, Malawian media, especially The Daily Times, was very negative about China, uncritically reproducing Western representations of China. This changed after January 2008 when the press leaned towards an acknowledgement of Chinese activities. Through interviews journalists have indicated that the Chinese government offers certain opportunities such as exchange visits to journalists, making it difficult for them to bite the hand that feeds them. This ‘soft power’ is backed up by the repressive power of the Malawian government that uses intimidation to force journalists to report in their favour, thereby helping to create a positive image for China in Malawi. Journalists report that the significant shifts in journalistic representations of China have been mirrored by changes in the conceptualisation of journalistic roles in Malawi’s mediascape. KEY WORDS: SOLUTION JOURNALISM, CONSTRUCTIVE JOURNALISM, CHINESE MEDIA, AFRICAN JOURNALISM CULTURE

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