Constructing China's image in the British media during international crises: a case study of The Times newspaper since February 2022

Вестник Пермского университета. Серия: Политология. 2025. Vol. 19. No. 2. P. 130–142.

Yin Z.

International society has noted a series of interlinked events that have implications for the construction of national representations within media discourse. This study probes how The Times represented China's image during global crises, with special focus on the period after Russia initiated its special military operation on February 24, 2022. Although this provides key context, the research also takes into account other factors, such as fluctuations in economic relations, changes in domestic leadership, and ongoing historical representations. Using content analysis coupled with statistical analysis through SPSS, the study outlines dominant narratives, themes, and underlying biases in media output. Based on social constructionism, the research highlights the importance of image, identity, and the mediatization of political affiliations. The findings add to the understanding of media representation and its consequences for China’s monitoring of its international image.

Keywords: media discourse, data proessing using SPSS, British media, China, the British