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China’s National Image Construction in ASEAN: A Critical Discourse Analysis on Its Forms and Strategies

Author(s)

Pan Beibei

Affiliation(s)

Xi’an Fanyi University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

Abstract

This study aims to explore the forms and strategies of China's national image construction in ASEAN from a critical perspective. Adopting critical discourse analysis (CDA) as the core research method, it selects typical discourse texts such as official statements, media reports and cooperative documents between China and ASEAN for systematic analysis. Through text decoding, discourse practice interpretation and social practice investigation, the study identifies the main forms of China's national image constructed in ASEAN and reveals the implicit discourse strategies behind it. The results show that China's national image in ASEAN is constructed through multiple forms such as a responsible great power, a cooperative partner and a cultural communicator, and adopts discourse strategies such as framing, normalization and emotional appeal to enhance the acceptance of the image, while there are also potential discourse contradictions to be addressed.

Keywords

Critical Discourse Analysis; China-ASEAN Relations; National Image Construction; Discourse Strategy

References

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