Framing the Belt and Road Initiative: A Comparative Analysis of News Coverage in Western and Chinese Media

Abstract

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China in 2013, represents one of the most ambitious international cooperation frameworks of the 21st century. While Chinese media emphasize its significance as a platform for “win-win cooperation” and “shared prosperity,” Western media frequently frame it as a tool of geopolitical influence and economic risk. This study employs framing theory to conduct a comparative analysis of 200 news reports from 2013 to 2024, published by Chinese state-affiliated media (People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency) and major Western outlets (The New York Times, BBC, Financial Times). Through quantitative content analysis and critical discourse analysis, the research identifies key framing patterns, linguistic features, and ideological underpinnings in both corpora. The findings reveal significant framing divergence: Chinese media highlight themes of cooperation, connectivity, and mutual development, whereas Western media stress debt dependency, geopolitical competition, and environmental concerns. The study concludes that framing differences stem from distinct political values, media systems, and strategic interests, underscoring the role of media in shaping global perceptions of China’s rise.