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Perspectives of Global and Hong Kong's Media on China's Belt and Road Initiative (2312.17013v1)

Published 28 Dec 2023 in cs.SI

Abstract: This study delves into the media analysis of China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which, in a polarized world, and furthermore, owing to the very polarizing nature of the initiative itself, has received both strong criticisms and conversely positive coverage in media from across the world. In that context, Hong Kong's dynamic media environment, with a particular focus on its drastically changing press freedom before and after the implementation of the National Security Law is of further interest. Leveraging data science techniques, this study employs Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone (GDELT) to comprehensively collect and analyse (English) news articles on the BRI. Through sentiment analysis, we uncover patterns in media coverage over different periods from several countries across the globe, and delve further to investigate the the media situation in the Hong Kong region. This work thus provides valuable insights into how the Belt and Road Initiative has been portrayed in the media and its evolving reception on the global stage, with a specific emphasis on the unique media landscape of Hong Kong. In an era characterised by increasing globalisation and inter-connectivity, but also competition for influence, animosity and trade-wars, understanding the perceptions and coverage of such significant international projects is crucial. This work stands as an interdisciplinary endeavour merging geopolitical science and data science to uncover the intricate dynamics of media coverage in general, and with an added emphasis on Hong Kong.

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