China’s “peaceful rise/peaceful development”: A case study of media frames of the rise of China

Abstract

This study examines English language legacy print media coverage of the rise of China. A critical analysis reveals that China is often cast as a threat to global peace and stability in news stories that focus on the pace of China’s economic development and military expansion. At the same time, much of this coverage also frames the United States as a superpower in decline. Many news articles describe the situation through the historical metaphor of “Thucydides trap”, a narrative frame that may serve to intensify tensions and increase the risk of conflict. While Beijing has sought to improve the country’s image abroad and to win greater support for its positions, this study found that the news narratives in English language publications might spark anxiety about China and its global ambitions.