The Construction of National Image from the Perspective of Attitude Resources: A Discourse Analysis

Abstract

Using the Attitude resources framework from Appraisal Theory, this study qualitatively and quantitatively analyzes the distribution characteristics of attitude resources in the climate change news discourse of China Daily. By employing Python programs to collect data and establish a small-scale corpus, the study reveals the discourse strategies adopted by China's external propaganda media in constructing a national image. The findings suggest that, in terms of affect, China has successfully constructed its image as a responsible major power; in terms of judgement, China is endowed with moral traits of fairness, rationality, and cooperation for mutual benefit; and aesthetically, China is portrayed as a leader in global climate governance.