Abstract
In today’s information environment, public communication has proven to be the coin of the realm. This is particularly true when government’ s image and credibility consequently legitimacy are challenged at home and abroad. The Chinese government, gravely concerned about its international image and domestic credibility, has emphasized the use of government communications to connect with its domestic and international stakeholders. This, in part, correlates with Beijing’ s recent emphasis on the importance of public diplomacy. To combat “the China threat,” the leadership under Hu Jintao began to incorporate soft power into diplomatic strategies to reshape foreign public opinions about China and rebuild the country’ s international image.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Note
Ni Chen, “Click away? Chinese College Students’ Perception of and Attitudes toward Online Advertising,” American Review of China Studies 6, no. 2 (2005): 129–142.
Ni Chen, “From Propaganda to Public Relations: Evolutionary Change in the Chinese Government,” Asian Journal of Communication 13, no. 12 (2004): 96–121.
Zhao Qizheng, To Interpret China to the World: A Collection of Public Speeches by Zhao Qizheng (Beijing: Xinshijie Press, 2005), 71–75.
State Council Information Office (SCIO),” An Introduction about the Information Office of the State Council, “ (March 3, 2006), http://www.scio.gov.cn/xwbjs/xwbjs/200905/t306817.htm
Zhao Qizheng, “Live casting of news conferences indicates the courage to showcase the ability of Chinese government officials” (2005), http://www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/chn/xw/t189418.htm; Cai Wu, “An overview of China’s government spokespersons and news conferences in 2005,” (February 9, 2006), http://news.xinhuanet.com/newmedia/2006-02/09/content_4156994.htm
Qiao Songdu, “Gong Peng: CCP’s First Spokesperson,” A Journal of News Briefing [Xinwen Daokan], 2 (2009): 49–50.
Xie Keling, “Reflection on the Evolution of Our Spokesperson System Since Open Up,” Journal of Guangdong Institute of Public administration [Guangdong xinzheng xueyuan bao]. 21, no. 2 (April 2009): 25–28.
Shen Zhihua, Zhongsu Cuanxi Shigang, 1917–1991 [A General History of the Sino-Soviet Relations, 1917–1991] (Beijing: Xinhua Press, 2007), 412
Shen Zhihua, Zhongsu Cuanxi Shigang, 1917–1991 [A General History of the Sino-Soviet Relations, 1917–1991] (Beijing: Xinhua Press, 2007), 412; Qian Qichen, Waijiao Shiji [A Reminiscence of Ten Important Events in Diplomacy] (Beijing: Shijie Zhishi Press, 2003), 18–19.
Chen Kaihe, “Moving into a Sunshine Era: Chinese Spokesperson System during the Earthquake Crisis,” World Knowledge [Shijie Zhishi], 13 (2008): 53–56.
Ji Haixia, “On the Establishment and Improvement of Our Spokesperson System,” Communications in the Southeast 9 (2008): 74–75
Yan Gongjun, “New Trends in the Improvement of Our Spokespersons System,” News World 1 (2008): 46–48.
See, for example, Anne-Marie Brady, Marketing Dictatorship: Propaganda and Thought Work in Contemporary China (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2008), 21.
Lei Xiangrong, “How Foreign Reporters View the Changes of Chinese Press Spokespersons” (April 1, 2005), http://media.people.com.cn/GB/22114/41180/44244/3292547.html.
Cai Wu, “Government Spokesperson Ought to Be Granted with More Autonomy,” (January 14, 2008). http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-01/14/content_7415087.htm
Lei Zheng, “Enacting and Implementing Open Government Information Regulations in China: Motivations and Barriers,” ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 232 (2007): 117–120.
Ni Chen, “Institutionalizing Public Relations: A Case Study of Chinese government crisis communication on the 2008 Sichuan earthquake,” Public Relations Review 35, no. 3 (September 2009): 187–198.
Hu Jintao, “Meeting with Foreign Reporters on the Beijing Olympic Games of 2008,” August 1, 2008, http://finance.people.com.cn/GB/7605340.html
Wang Chen, “Press release, SCIO press conference,” December 29, 2009 http://news.hexun.com/2009-12-30/122209440.html
F. P. Seitel, The Practice of Public Relations, 8th ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: 2001), 235
M. Lee, “Reporters and Bureaucrats: Public Relations Counter-strategies by Public Administrator in an Era of Media Disinterest in Government,” Public Relations Review 25, no. 4 (2000): 451–468.
D. L. Wilcox, P. H. Ault, and W. K. Agee, Public Relations: Strategies and Tactics (New York: Longman, 1998), 217.
Lei Xiangrong, “How Foreign Reporters View the Changes of Chinese Press Spokespersons,” April 1, 2005, http://media.people.com.cn/GB/22114/41180/44244/3292547.html
Zhou Jin, “Inside Story: An Interview with MFA Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue,” November 26, 2004, http://www.people.com.cn/GB/14677/22114/41180/41185/3015276.html
Qinghua University, “An Advanced Seminar for Spokespersons,” December 1, 2008, http://www.sce.tsinghua.edu.cn/culture/detail_jp.jsp?seq=12184&boardid=385
China.com.cn, “Inside Stories about the First 75 Spokespersons of Beijing Municipality,” February 2, 2004, http://sars.china.com.cn/chinese/zhuanti/fyr/489768.htm.
PR. Cs Permanent Mission to UN, “Chinese Government Spokesperson Delegation Visits the UN,” November 19, 2009, http://www.china-un.org/chn/czthd/t628338.htm
See, for example, James E. Grunig and Todd Hunt, Managing Public Relation (Austin, TX: Holt Rinehart and Winston, 1984), 149.
Editor information
Copyright information
© 2011 Jian Wang
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Chen, N. (2011). The Evolving Chinese Government Spokesperson System. In: Wang, J. (eds) Soft Power in China. Palgrave Macmillan Series in Global Public Diplomacy. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230116375_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230116375_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-29137-3
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-11637-5
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)