China’s diplomacy and changing the COVID-19 narrative

Abstract

The world has declared COVID-19 (a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus or novel coronavirus) to be a pandemic. China has been chastised by various countries, especially the United States, for suppressing information and not taking necessary measures which could have helped in controlling the spread of and/or eradicating the disease in the earlier stages. Consequently, China has undertaken numerous measures to change the COVID-19 narrative and disassociate itself from COVID-19. It launched a campaign to question the origins of SARS-CoV-2, blamed the United States for spreading COVID-19, claimed victory in combating COVID-19 domestically, and provided aid (“mask diplomacy”) to countries. These actions betray China’s concern about its image. The country wants to portray itself as a Good Samaritan, a responsible and reliable partner, and an essential global power. Additionally, China has grave concerns about regime stability and survival. President Xi’s legitimacy is built on technocratic competence. The outbreak has the potential to seriously dent his personal legacy.

COVID-19 and China’s Changing Soft Power in Italy

“…Other scholars such as Raj Verma writes that China is using the pandemic to change the COVID-19 narrative in Europe (Verma 2020a , b ). Furthermore, Verma goes on to say that China wants to depict itself as a Good Samaritan and an “essential global power” (Verma 2020a , b ).…”

“…Other scholars such as Raj Verma writes that China is using the pandemic to change the COVID-19 narrative in Europe (Verma 2020a , b ). Furthermore, Verma goes on to say that China wants to depict itself as a Good Samaritan and an “essential global power” (Verma 2020a , b ). Verma also argued that China is using COVID-19 to improve its global image, but also “to push President Xi’s rhetoric of a community of common destiny,” part of the country’s Belt and Road Initiative narrative (Verma 2020a , b : 255).…”

“…On China’s COVID-19-related aid to other countries, scholars have extensively written about China mask diplomacy in relation to its impact in Europe, primarily discussing about the geopolitical nature of China’s aid. Verma ( 2020a , b ), Le Corre and Brattberg ( 2020 ) argued that China manipulated the pandemic to change COVID-19 narrative and that, through its aid, China is showing its superiority in handling COVID-19. While they provided interesting insights into China’s COVID-19-related aid in Europe in general, this article provides country specific studies and conducts inquiry into the domestic role played by China’s public diplomacy.…”

A Relational Reflection on Pandemic Nationalism

“…Nationalism is widely believed to be a common tactic of the Chinese government to galvanize the public and reorient attention away from the state’s alleged culpability vis-à-vis its initially delayed crisis response [ 69 , 70 , 94 ]. Many have also observed the use of nationalistic propaganda messages by the Chinese government to vindicate its strict control over the people and deflect criticism of their ineffective response [ 33 ].…”

China’s President’s Power And His Response To Covid-19 Outbreak

“…The Covid-19 has the potential to ruin Xi Jinping's reputation completely, but he turned the outbreak into a blessing and showed his ability to manage the country and make China more respected in the world (Verma, 2020). Covid-19's centralized and efficient command system provided a firm assurance of victory for the country during the people's war.…”