‘Reflexive Expectations’ in EU–China Relations: A Media Analysis Approach

Zhang, Li

doi:10.1111/jcms.12286

Cited by 23 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…China and the EU constitute two of the three largest entities in today's world in terms of aggregate population, military spending and economic size. Although China turned to a more cautious and realistic view of the EU in world affairs after the financial crisis, a recent study of Chinese official media coverage of the EU indicated that, Chinese tend to hold a relatively higher expectation of the EU, while other Asian countries often perceive the EU as distant and ineffective, resulting in a clear ‘Expectation Deficit’ (Zhang, ). A China–EU partnership therefore could constitute an important platform for both sides to facilitate the building of a workable world order, especially in a world now plagued by competing reordering strategies and risks of disorder.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

China, the European Union and the Fragile World Order

Chen

2016

J of Common Market Studies

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The EU (European Union) and China are the two arguably most unusual powers in today's world: the EU as the most integrated regional association of states and China as the largest developing great power. As the post-Cold War American-led liberal world order is facing challenges from forces unleashed by the power transition and power diffusion in the international system, this article will look into the order-shaping roles of the EU and China, to identify their respective visions of a desirable world order and to conceptualize how the EU and China can make themselves 'building blocks' of a working world order through parallel, complementary and concerted order-shaping.Keywords: China; the EU; World Order; Sovereignty; Order-shapingThe world is changing and the world order seems to be in flux. If there was a prevailing 'American-led liberal hegemonic order' since the end of the Cold War, as John Ikenberry argued, that order is now in crisis. For Ikenberry, this crisis is one of authority or governance, but not of the basic principles of the liberal order. Therefore, he argues, with minor changes this order could be resurrected (Ikenberry, 2011). By contrast Henry Kissinger, in his book on world order, believed that this world order will be adapted to the new reality in the world. The pressing challenge for the human kind -or, in his words, 'the mystery to be overcome' -shared by all peoples is 'how divergent historic experiences and values can be shaped into a common order' (Kissinger, 2014, p. 9). Reflecting on the Ukraine crisis, prominent world figures have been concerned about the threatening scenario of a world in disorder. Former Soviet leader Gorbachev raised the question of whether the world is entering 'A New Cold War Order' (Gorbachev, 2015). Moreover, Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations, made an appeal to world leaders to save the global order (Annan, 2015).This article discusses the current challenges facing a working world order, then investigates how the European Union (EU) and China, the two most unusual powers and key order-shapers in today's world, envisage a desirable world order from their own respective perspectives. The article will also discuss how the EU and China can collaborate in their order-shaping efforts to ensure a more peaceful and more progressive world order. I. World Order, Reorder and DisorderIn analysing the order of today's world, some scholars prefer to use the term 'international order'. In Oran Young's definition, 'International orders are broad framework arrangements governing the activities of all (or almost all) the members of international society over a wide range of specific issues' (Young, 1989, p. 13). To operationalize

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

China, the European Union and the Fragile World Order

Chen

2016

J of Common Market Studies

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“…China, although not directly involved in the European refugee issue, is one of EU's strategic partners. Research shows that during the past decades, how Chinese media represent the the EU stories is a reflection of China's expectations toward the EU in international politics (Zhang, 2016). Examining Chinese media reports of the European refugee issue would help us understand the Chinese attitude toward the issue and the EU.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in journalism culture or is there more to it? Comparing news on the European refugee issue in Western Europe and China

Jiang

d’Haenens

Zhang

2021

International Communication Gazette

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This study explores the country-specific, regional and cultural differences and similarities between China and two European countries in their coverage of the European refugee issue and seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the various political interests, social values, and journalism cultures in the countries under study. It analyzed and compared 2,368 news articles in Belgian, Swedish, and Chinese newspapers from 2015 to 2017. The analysis demonstrated that Chinese newspapers put less emphasis on welcoming the refugees by politicians and citizens, but are more prone to report on Islamic religion in their coverage of the refugees than the Belgian and Swedish newspapers. The empirical evidence suggests that the differences in reporting are not only a representation of different political interests and social engagement of the three countries, but, to a large extent, a result of different journalism cultures across nations.

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“…Many past studies have examined how Europe/European people and China/Chinese people have been represented and narrated as an ideological, political, economic, and cultural “other” in each other’s media (e.g. Cao 2006 ; Zhang 2016 ). However, if we examine closely the images of the EU and China as the “other” constructed by the media and their official rhetoric and statements of “self,” we can see a gap between the EU/Europeans and China/Chinese perception of themselves and the perception of them in the other side’s media.…”

Section: Bridging the Communication Gap In Eu-china Relationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging the communication gap in EU-China relations: policy, media, and public opinion

Zhang

2022

Asia Eur J

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Over the past decade, the series of crises in the EU, the rise of China, and the outbreak of the global pandemic have complicated contemporary EU-China relations. In this context, studies on the bilateral relationship have thrived. However, little is known how the complex relationship is reflected in the self-construction of one side through the understanding of the other. This special issue aims to contribute to this area. It consists of five articles, revealing the communication gap as seen from three perspectives, namely, official policy statements, mass media representations, and public opinion polls. Together, these sources provide empirical evidence on the different interpretations of “the other” in the reflection of “self” between the EU and China and the consequences they have caused. The special issue of this journal will shed light on the logical growth point and current soil of EU-China relations and help to promote mutual understanding and the establishment of mutual trust.

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‘Reflexive Expectations’ in EU–China Relations: A Media Analysis Approach

Cited by 23 publications

References 16 publications

China, the European Union and the Fragile World Order

China, the European Union and the Fragile World Order

Differences in journalism culture or is there more to it? Comparing news on the European refugee issue in Western Europe and China

Bridging the communication gap in EU-China relations: policy, media, and public opinion

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