A discoursal investigation on accelerated hostility between China Daily and the New York Times

Abstract

Since COVID-19 outbreak hit China in December 2019, there has been a “narrative battle” between China and the US. Roughly 89% U.S. adults consider China a competitor or enemy, rather than a partner, according to a Pew Research Center survey in Otc. 2020. Faced with accusations internationally, there appears rising attacks and unfavourable feelings towards Asian people in the US during COVID-19, which leads to social exclusion and discrimination to Asian, especially the Chinese in the US. In the meantime, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened a rising tide of nationalism in China, amplifying pre-existing nationalist and protectionist trends. According to a survey from Carter Center and RIWI (2021), 62% of Chinese internet-using population shows unfavorable feeling towards the US. As media plays a significant role in society in shaping public opinions, it is of significant to explore how the media reports accelerate the anti-sentiments towards each other. Although scholars have started to explore media reports during the pandemic, very less is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic is reported, discussed, and presented in the Chinese and American media from critical discouse analysis (CDA). This study will comparatively evaluate 36 editorials from China Daily (CD) and New York Times (NYT) with regards to ideological square framework. Based on data analysis, the study indicates that not only the headings, but also the media substance constructs a type of conflicting relations. Through positivizing “us” and negativizing “them”, both media accelerate the unfavorable feeling towards each other. This study suggests that both media should rationally report the pandemic, and people should work together to preserve our lives and live in peace.