Discursive Legitimation of China's Assertive Foreign Policy: the Case of Fukusima Contaminated Wastewater Release Plan

This research presents an analysis of the Chinese discursive strategies in response to the Fukushima Daichi Wastewater Release Plan to trace patterns of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) strive for the discursive hegemony. The thesis intends to examine how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) discursively supports its assertive foreign policy. This research proposes using framing theory to elucidate how Chinese media frame issues and actors to legitimize its assertive foreign policy. For this purpose, we gathered articles in Chinese language from Renmin Ribao, the PRC official news agency subordinate to the CCP. We utilized mixed methods approach. The preliminary sentiment network analysis elucidated the key narratives produced by Chinese media in the period from 2021 till 2023. The critical discourse analysis (CDA) highlighted four discursive legitimation strategies utilized in articles in the period from 22 August till 12 September 2023: authorization, rationalization, moralization, and mythopoesis. We identified that the PRC discourse surrounding the Fukushima Daichi Wastewater Release Plan exhibits three key features: (1) Usage of consistent narratives which included othering and securitization achieved primarily by moralization and rationalization discursive legitimation strategies. However, articles rarely showcased narratives representing other position. (2) References to key decision-makers, politicans, experts, laws, and international community. However, their statements were often taken out of context, not full, respresented selective information, and ‘domesticated’ in order to fit the consistent narrative. Usage of authority-holders was key for othering Japan and securitization of the Fukushima Daichi Wastewater Release Plan. (3) Disastrous predictions with rationalization and mythoposesis strategies which securitized the issue, making it detrimental for the survival of the Chinese and world population. Therefore, by framing Japan as the Other and positioning China as a protective and caring leader, the CCP seeks to strengthen its domestic legitimacy and achieve strategic objectives. Understanding these features is crucial for analyzing the discursive tactics employed by the PRC in shaping public opinion and policy decisions. Future research should delve deeper into the complexities of discursive legitimization and its impact on international relations and domestic policymaking, examining the discourse influence on public opinion.