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The Language of Soft Power: Mediating Socio-political Meanings in the Chinese Media

Cao, Qing

Authors



Abstract

This article aims to examine the discursive structure of ‘soft power’ in China, its cultural, historical and political backgrounds and the role the mass media play in mediating its meanings. Conceptualised within critical discourse analysis, this study assesses soft power discourse as a form of articulating traditional values on the part of China's political and intellectual elites, as well as views about China's future directions. Specifically, it focuses on three levels of analysis: 1) a description of the language of ‘soft power’; 2) an interpretation of soft power as an institutional practice; and 3) an explanation of the broad socio-political dynamics that shape the discourse of soft power. The article concludes with an initial evaluation of the significance and implications of the soft power discourse.

Citation

Cao, Q. (2011). The Language of Soft Power: Mediating Socio-political Meanings in the Chinese Media. Critical Arts: A Journal of South-North Cultural Studies, 25(1), 7-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/02560046.2011.552203

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2011
Deposit Date Oct 3, 2012
Journal Critical Arts: A Journal of South-North Cultural Studies
Print ISSN 0256-0046
Electronic ISSN 1992-6049
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 25
Issue 1
Pages 7-24
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/02560046.2011.552203
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1473379