Themes and ideologies in China’s diplomatic discourse – a corpus-assisted discourse analysis in China’s official speeches

Abstract

Diplomatic discourse is a formalized form of political communication that significantly influences a country’s international perception. However, there is a research gap in the analysis of China’s diplomatic discourse, particularly in relation to the speeches available on the official Chinese Foreign Ministry website. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a quantitative and qualitative analysis of China’s diplomatic speeches. This study utilizes a quantitative corpus-assisted discourse analysis to explore the prevalent themes in China’s official speeches. Additionally, qualitative discourse analysis is employed to examine the ideologies manifested in specific examples from the official speeches. The research combines a corpus-based approach with critical discourse analysis to investigate language use, discourse practices, and social practices. The analysis of China’s diplomatic discourse reveals several key themes related to President Xi Jinping’s leadership, international relations, and future community and economy. The findings provide valuable insights into China’s diplomatic strategies and its international image, emphasizing its commitment to cooperation, development, and peace. This research contributes to a better understanding of China’s diplomatic discourse and its role in shaping international perceptions of the country. By highlighting the prevalent themes and ideologies in China’s official speeches, the study emphasizes China’s commitment to fostering positive international relations. The findings offer valuable insights into China’s diplomatic strategies and its efforts to shape its international image.