National image studies in China

the country's image is an important part of the country's soft power. This article reviews the current results of Chinese image research in China, and summarizes and classifies the research of Chinese scientists in the field of the country's image. The main purpose of this study is to understand the current state of China's image research and analyze the content of China's image. The main research methods of this study are the literature review method, the generalization method and the statistical method. In the course of the study, the author came to the conclusion that: first, regarding the definition of the country's image, scientists from different disciplines in China have defined the concept of the country's image from different points of view. Secondly, about the content of China's image. China officially positions its image as that of a responsible socialist country with peaceful development, civilization and self-confidence, openness and tolerance. Thirdly, with regard to China's image, Chinese scientists also pay attention to the following aspects of research: 1) cultural image formation strategy; 2) media image communication strategy; 3) image formation in crisis situations. Fourth, although research on the country's image in Chinese academic circles began late, the general attention to China's image is growing, and in 2008, 2018, and 2023, attention to the image was higher. Fifth, in the Chinese academic community, the topic of “The country's image” has become the first to arouse research interest, and the subject on which the largest number of works have been published so far is journalism and communication, followed by Chinese and international politics and other disciplines. The difference is that the scope of research and the main issues related to the national image vary from discipline to discipline.

national image, image of China, soft power, public diplomacy, formation of the national image, positioning of the national image