The Construction of Patriotism in a China Daily Newspaper Article: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This research seeks to examine the development of patriotic discourse in an article from China Daily using Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) in the context of the significant 2019 Hong Kong movement. The analysis of linguistic strategies utilized in the newspaper reveals two interconnected discourses: the embrace of national identity and the acknowledgment of the importance of national education. By emphasising the historical and emotional connection between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and mainland China, as well as the importance of compulsory education, the ultimate objective is to maintain the stability and unity of the whole nation. These studies demonstrate the correlation between media, language, ideology, and power, revealing how the government manipulates the media and language to shape popular perception and behaviour, so ensuring compliance with official policies. This study has the theoretical potential to enhance comprehension of how media and language is strategically used in political discourse, specifically in terms of its practical influence on public opinion and its contribution to policy-making in intricate socio-political contexts.