A Corpus-Based Critical Discourse Analysis Of The Economist’s Reports On China’s Environment

In recent years,China’s rapid economic development has brought about a series of environmental issues,which have aroused global media attention.The number of environmental reports has increased dramatically,and China’s environmental image in the international public opinion field has gradually formed.This article aims to explore the construction of China’s environmental image by Western mainstream media through using The Economist as an example.A total of 81 relevant reports from The Economist from 1992 to 2019 were manually identified and collected for critical discourse analysis through quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis.Combining corpus tools and Fairclough’s three-dimensional framework,these reports are analyzed from the perspective of description,interpretation and explanation.Taking The Economist as an example,the study of how Western media construct China’s environmental image will provide reference for China’s climate information dissemination,political diplomacy and national image construction.It can help to construct a positive image of China in the international world.The Economist’s coverage of China’s environment has shown a year-on-year increase and can be divided into three periods:the first period from 1992 to 1996,the second period from 1997 to 2007,and the third period from 2008 to 2019.In general,the positive reports on China’s environment in The Economist have increased through years.However,the negative image of China’s environment is also constructed in a large number of reports through the use of vocabulary,grammar,discourse practices and other linguistic devices.In terms of wording,negative wording and opposite wording are used to stimulate stereotypical images of China;in terms of grammar,exaggerations and distortions are made through the use of transformations and tenses;in terms of discursive practices,metaphors,reporting modes,reporting verbs and new sources are selected to reinforce readers’ doubts about China’s environment.The reasons for constructing this negative image of China’s environment include economic,political and cultural factors.Therefore,this article puts forward three suggestions for improving China’s environmental image:enhance information transparency;attach more importance to environmental diplomacy;strengthen environmental propaganda.