Media's Role in Fostering the Belt and Road Initiative and Chinese Foreign Policy in the Arab Region

Abstract

The current study aims to investigate the role of media in fostering the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and serving Chinese foreign policy in the Arab region. The BRI, also known as the One Belt One Road initiative, is a Chinese government-led development strategy that aims to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa through a network of infrastructure projects, trade, and investment. The Arab region is a significant part of the BRI, and China's engagement in the region has been increasing in recent years. However, little is known about how media in China and the Arab region present and shape the public perception of BRI and its implications on Chinese foreign policy in the region. The research question of this study is: “How do Chinese and Arab media present and shape the public perception of BRI in the Arab region and its implications on Chinese foreign policy?” The results of this study will provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of media in shaping the public perception of BRI and its impact on Chinese foreign policy in the Arab region.