Researchers have asserted that Chinese diplomats’ assertive 'wolf warrior' style on X is more favoured domestically than internationally. Therefore, this research explores how foreign publics understand Chinese public diplomacy on social platforms, and how state differences could affect the public's understanding. The aims of this study are to examine the content difference of China’s public diplomatic communication on X between Türkiye and the UK, and to identify the key factors that influence the receptivity of Chinese digitalised public diplomacy. I use quantitative content analysis to examine both Turkish and English X posts from selected Chinese embassies and ambassadors’ accounts, and identify salient themes, prevailing narratives and discernible patterns of public engagement with Chinese diplomatic posts. Later, I will manipulate the most significant content features identified in the preliminary content analysis in an online survey experiment with Turkish and British publics. With the exception of the manipulation in the survey, the comparison between responses of the Turkish and British publics is expected to reveal the state-level factors that affect the public’s reception of Chinese public diplomacy. In general, this research can contribute to a deeper understanding of the strategic usage of social media in shaping foreign public opinion towards a state.

Authors:
Anran Ju, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Anran's research interests focus on public's perception of Chinese diplomatic message on social media, nation branding through general digital and cultural approaches. She has a MSc in Creative Cultural Industry Management and MA in Social Research.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-anran-ju/

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ugne_Pavlovaite3

Additional website of interest
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/journalism/people/phd-students/anran-ju

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