Evaluative representation of China's political image in modern Russian Media

Abstract

The object of the study is the evaluative characteristics of the image of China presented in modern Russian media. The subject of the study is the content and language features of the estimated representation of the political image of China as one of the leading geopolitical forces in the world. The material of the work was published by Russian Internet media (2020-2023). The author examines in detail the features of the evaluation of the image of the head of state, Xi Jinping, as well as the implementation of China's domestic and foreign policy. The positive and negative evaluative characteristics of China's political image are revealed. Particular attention is paid to the formation of private values. The linguistic means of expressing evaluation used in the texts of modern Russian mass media are characterized. The conducted research allows us to conclude that a generally positive political image of China is being formed in modern Russian Internet media (81% of positive ratings). On the positive side, the personal qualities of the head of state, which are manifested in the implementation of his political activities, are evaluated. The economic situation in the country, the nature of foreign policy towards the United States, and participation in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine are also generally positively assessed. A negative assessment is present only when describing the aggressive strategies in Xi Jinping's policy. In most cases, a positive absolute assessment of China's policy is designed to form the image of a stable state and a strong "player" in the political arena. The novelty of the conducted research lies in the appeal to the study of the information field relevant to the Russian public in connection with the high dynamics of the development of international Russian-Chinese relations. The peculiarities of the evaluative representation of the image of the state and the policy implemented by it in the media allow us to draw conclusions about the mechanisms of formation of evaluative meanings and impact on the mass audience in the modern information space.