A Power for Peace and Development – The White Papers of the Chinese Government from a Public Diplomacy Point of View
Miao, Shiyu (2017-02-20)
A Power for Peace and Development – The White Papers of the Chinese Government from a Public Diplomacy Point of View
Miao, Shiyu
(20.02.2017)
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The purpose of this thesis is to study the White Papers published by the Chinese government from the perspective of public diplomacy. The White Papers are political documents in which the Chinese authorities state their official stances regarding a variety of domestic and international affairs.
The study approaches the White Papers from the theoretical perspective of public diplomacy and framing theory. Through the study, the present research endeavours to examine the public diplomacy functions of the White Papers. This thesis also examines how the White Papers attempt to frame various controversial questions regarding China and its place in the world.
The present study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods in the analysis of the White Papers. On the one hand, word cloud and word counter software are used to paint a general picture regarding the contents of the White Papers. On the other hand, White Papers on four themes of special interest have been selected for deeper, qualitative analysis: defence, human rights, China’s peaceful development and Tibet.
The study shows that the White Papers predominantly employs the frame of development when discussing China. Although the White Papers on many occasions admit the imperfection of the Chinese society, they maintain that China is constantly developing into a better society in all aspects. This frame of development is also the main thrust from the perspective of public diplomacy.
The central contradiction is that while the White Papers promote a mutually beneficial relationship between China and other countries, they argue that China has certain, mostly territorial, entitlements due to historical reasons. Regarding territorial issues, including Tibet, the rhetoric of the White Papers is very uncompromising.
Fruitful areas for future research include the continued qualitative study of the White Papers and the examination of the role of the White Papers in Chinese politics.
The study approaches the White Papers from the theoretical perspective of public diplomacy and framing theory. Through the study, the present research endeavours to examine the public diplomacy functions of the White Papers. This thesis also examines how the White Papers attempt to frame various controversial questions regarding China and its place in the world.
The present study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods in the analysis of the White Papers. On the one hand, word cloud and word counter software are used to paint a general picture regarding the contents of the White Papers. On the other hand, White Papers on four themes of special interest have been selected for deeper, qualitative analysis: defence, human rights, China’s peaceful development and Tibet.
The study shows that the White Papers predominantly employs the frame of development when discussing China. Although the White Papers on many occasions admit the imperfection of the Chinese society, they maintain that China is constantly developing into a better society in all aspects. This frame of development is also the main thrust from the perspective of public diplomacy.
The central contradiction is that while the White Papers promote a mutually beneficial relationship between China and other countries, they argue that China has certain, mostly territorial, entitlements due to historical reasons. Regarding territorial issues, including Tibet, the rhetoric of the White Papers is very uncompromising.
Fruitful areas for future research include the continued qualitative study of the White Papers and the examination of the role of the White Papers in Chinese politics.