China's Communication of the Belt and Road Initiative: Silk Road and Infrastructure Narratives

This book explores how China communicates its Belt and Road Initiative through infrastructure and Silk Road narratives, advancing its image as an infrastructure and standards-setting power, fostering friendly and cooperative relations, and forging its identity as a good neighbor, friend, and partner. It analyzes China's communication through case studies of specific infrastructure projects and highlights the selective use of history in these narratives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 20 August 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate realm of China's international political communication, specifically focusing on its portrayal of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Through a meticulous examination of the narratives surrounding infrastructure and the Silk Road, the author makes a compelling argument that China's aesthetic production of the BRI serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it enhances China's image as an influential infrastructure and standards-setting power, projecting a strong presence on the global stage. Secondly, it evokes a sense of historical continuity, portraying the BRI as a continuation of friendly and cooperative relations between China and its partners. Thirdly, it solidifies China's identity as a benevolent neighbor, friend, and partner, fostering positive perceptions and relationships across the region.

To support this argument, the book employs a multiple-case study approach, analyzing four key projects: the Second Belt and Road Forum, the Alternative North-South Road in Kyrgyzstan, the Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya, and the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge. Through detailed literary analyses of the Travels of Marco Polo and the Travels of Ibn Battutah, the author sheds light on China's selective use of history, further elucidating the nuances of its communication strategy.

Chapters within the book delve into the diverse modalities of infrastructure narratives, encompassing spatial, temporal, political, economic, technological, and perceptual aspects. These chapters provide valuable insights into the composition of Silk Road narratives, contributing to ongoing debates about Chinese discourse, media strategy, and infrastructure communication.

With its comprehensive coverage, interdisciplinary approach, and rich empirical evidence, this book appeals to students and scholars of politics, international relations, communication, and Asian studies worldwide. It offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of China's global engagement and its efforts to shape the international landscape through infrastructure development and cultural exchange.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 240 x 162 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032026244