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The construction of Singapore's mainstream Chinese media on OBOR: based on a discourse analysis of Zaobao

Xiangyi Li (School of International Relations, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China)
Zhiting Wen (London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK)

Asian Education and Development Studies

ISSN: 2046-3162

Article publication date: 7 September 2020

Issue publication date: 23 December 2020

167

Abstract

Purpose

Since One Belt One Road (OBOR) was proposed, Singaporean sides have reacted differently. Based on the case of Zaobao, the authors develop the theoretical frame including international relations, agenda setting and media framing, analyzing the construction of textual materials on OBOR and its influencing factors.

Design/methodology/approach

In this sense, this paper attempts to use Zaobao's texts on OBOR from 2015 to 2017 as textual materials, by using the discourse analysis method and combining the theories of international relations, agenda setting and media framing, to explore the following two relevant questions: How does the mainstream Chinese media of Singapore construct OBOR issue? What factors influence this kind of construction?

Findings

The study finds that agendas setting on OBOR are diversified in the purpose of supporting official position and meeting audiences' expectations, which are constrained by the factors such as international situations, regional strategies, national interests and domestic politics. The authors learn more details about hidden and vague thoughts on OBOR from all sides in Singapore through this discourse analysis.

Originality/value

In summary, the academic community has a certain foundation for the study of the cognition of the “Belt and Road” initiative. However, compared with the other countries' research on the Belt and Road cognition, the research on Singapore is insufficient. Singapore is an important hub for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. At the same time, as a leader of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), it has a strong appeal and influence in other ASEAN countries. It has also played a pivotal role in building the “Belt and Road”. However, the “Belt and Road” initiative has been proposed and implemented for five years. The research on Singapore's cognition and reaction of the “Belt and Road” initiative is still insufficient. Therefore, an in-depth study of Singapore's cognition of the ‘Belt and Road” initiative has significant academic and applied value. This paper attempts to explore the construction of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative by Singapore's official media to make up for the shortcomings of existing research.

Keywords

Citation

Li, X. and Wen, Z. (2021), "The construction of Singapore's mainstream Chinese media on OBOR: based on a discourse analysis of Zaobao", Asian Education and Development Studies, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 161-171. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-10-2018-0162

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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