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The Construction of China’s Image in Indonesian Mainstream Media:Taking The Jakarta Post as an Example

Author(s)

Fangfang Xiao*

Affiliation(s)

University of Sanya, Sanya, Hainan, China *Corresponding Author.

Abstract

In the new era, the national image is becoming increasingly important for a country to improve its international influence. The mainstream media, as a means for the general public to learn about others, plays a significant role in shaping a country’s image. By studying the reports from July 2016 to December 2023 in The Jakarta Post, the English mainstream media with the largest circulation and influence in Indonesia, this study analyzes the image of China presented by The Jakarta Post under the guidance of the Framing Theory. The analysis in this study shows that the image of China constructed by The Jakarta Post is contradictory and multifaceted: China is regarded as a promoter of regional development, a producer of tensions and an alarming partner at the same time. As the “other” in Indonesian eyes, the multifaceted image of China provides insights for China in shaping its national image among ASEAN countries.

Keywords

The Jakarta Post; China’s Image; Framing Theory; ASEAN; Mainstream Media

References

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