China's Party Diplomacy Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study on CCP's Legitimation and International Image

Strategic Insights -

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the world, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been working to project a positive image both domestically and internationally through its party diplomacy. According to a recent study published in the China Review-an Interdisciplinary Journal On Greater China, the CCP's International Department (IDCPC) has been playing a crucial role in this effort. The study, conducted by researchers from Fudan University, examined the three stages of party diplomacy during the pandemic: 'outbreak,' 'giving back,' and 'new normal.' The researchers found that the IDCPC has been successful in soliciting positive responses from foreign counterparts and has been increasingly attention-grabbing in domestic propaganda.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CCP's party diplomacy during the pandemic has gone through three stages: 'outbreak,' 'giving back,' and 'new normal.'
  • The IDCPC has been primarily aimed at branding the CCP as a capable and responsible ruling party, both domestically and internationally.
  • The study found that the IDCPC has been increasingly paying attention to China's domestic audience through packaging positive remarks by foreign political elites into domestic propaganda.
  • The researchers concluded that the IDCPC emerges as an integrated propaganda vehicle, linking the CCP's international liaison with domestic legitimation.
  • The study used a case study of a joint open letter initiated by the CCP as an example of successful party diplomacy.
  • The researchers noted that the IDCPC has been seeking to showcase its own competence through its international and domestic propaganda efforts.
  • The study was conducted by researchers from Fudan University and received financial support from the Shanghai Philosophy and Social Science Funding for Young Researchers.
  • The study was peer-reviewed and published in the China Review-an Interdisciplinary Journal On Greater China.

Statistics:

  • 55-89: Pagination of the study published in the China Review-an Interdisciplinary Journal On Greater China.
  • 2021: Year of publication for the study.
  • 21(1): Volume and issue number of the China Review-an Interdisciplinary Journal On Greater China where the study was published.

Sources:

  • Branding and Legitimation: China's Party Diplomacy Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic. China Review-an Interdisciplinary Journal On Greater China, 2021;21(1):55-89. Chinese Univ Press, Chinese Univ Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong 00000, Peoples R China.
  • Fudan University, Institute of International Studies, Shanghai, People's Republic of China (Source contact for additional information on the study).
  • Shanghai Philosophy and Social Science Funding for Young Researchers (Financial support for the study).