The Power of Language: Globalizing “The Chinese Dream”

Abstract

After assuming the Chinese presidency in March 2013, Xi Jinping introduced the new political slogan “the Chinese Dream,” which he does not only address to the domestic audience but also aims to promote to the world. Since his inaugural trip abroad, Xi has repeatedly used the term “Chinese Dream” in his speeches when addressing international audiences. However, nowhere has the catchphrase received as much appeal as in Africa. Simultaneously, African academics and other interested parties have observed the promotion of the idea of an African Dream by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) with great suspicion as they view it simply as a projection of China’s own foreign policy onto Africa. But what do the Chinese Dream and African Dream actually mean? How can we make sense out of these terms? In order to decode or demystify the meaning behind the Chinese Dream narrative in the context of China’s foreign policy, this paper argues that it is essential to examine how it is constructed and projected to the international audience, in particular to Africa. The Chinese Dream is understood as a narrative which is strategically used by the CCP in order to shape perceptions and behavior of other international actors according to their own agenda. Moreover, the dynamic interactions between the media and politics and how they impinge on the formation and projection of the Chinese Dream and African Dream narrative will also be taken into account.