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Telling the China Story Well: A Discursive Approach to the Analysis of Chinese Foreign Policy in the “Belt and Road” Initiative

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Abstract

This article addresses the ‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiative, abbreviated as the BRI, the flagship project of current Chinese foreign policy. In contrast with conventional positivist studies in international relations, this article adopts a discursive approach to reveal aspects of the often neglected political reality behind China’s BRI rhetoric. The article constructs a two-step framework for analysis of the discourse of China’s BRI: first, analysis of the production of discourse and second, analysis of the discourse–foreign policy nexus. This framework is then used to delve into the two main themes of development and geopolitics in BRI discourses. The production of these discourses is further associated with ongoing Chinese foreign policy efforts. This discursive analysis adds to our understanding of current Chinese foreign policy, particularly in terms of its main priorities and areas of focus, and of the possible ensuing implications.

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Notes

  1. This grand development strategy was launched in 2013 by the Chinese government to involve most countries in the Eurasian region and beyond in infrastructure development and economic activities, such as investment.

  2. ‘Discursive power’ here is not intended in the Foucauldian sense; it literally translates into a Chinese phrase referring to a state whose official rhetoric and discourses have a global influence. For further details, please refer to Zhang (2009b), ‘China’s Discursive Power: Conundrums and Solutions’ [in Chinese], People’s Daily Online, 18 August. Available at http://theory.people.com.cn/GB/9878818.html, accessed 11 November 2018.

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This research was funded by the University of Macau grant: MYRG2018-00080-FSS.

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  1. Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Macao SAR, China

    Seng In Chan

  2. Jean Monnet Chair in European Politics, Department of Government and Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Room 4022, Humanities and Social Sciences Building (E21), Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macao SAR, China

    Weiqing Song

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Chan, S.I., Song, W. Telling the China Story Well: A Discursive Approach to the Analysis of Chinese Foreign Policy in the “Belt and Road” Initiative. Chin. Polit. Sci. Rev. 5, 417–437 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41111-020-00146-1

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