Abstract This study investigates the global portrayal of China’s diplomatic image through media representations of the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Focusing on participating countries (Pakistan and Hungary) and non-participating countries (the United States and the United Kingdom), the research conducts a comparative analysis of a 50,444-word corpus from Daily News Hungary , The News International , the BBC, and VOA over a four-month period (Sep. 11, 2023 – Jan. 25, 2024). Using a critical discourse analysis (CDA) framework, specifically Fairclough’s three-dimensional model, the study adopts both qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine how the BRI is portrayed, identify similarities and differences in China’s diplomatic image, and analyze the discursive strategies employed. The findings reveal that material and relational processes dominate the reports, with non-participating countries using more derogatory language compared to their counterparts. While media generally adhere to journalistic standards, they are influenced by national ideologies. Participating countries’ media show strong support for the BRI, while non-participating countries’ media express skepticism, though some objective voices emerge. This research sheds light on how media discourse shapes global perceptions of China’s diplomacy, reflecting underlying power dynamics and national interests.
Zhang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.