Russian Perspective of Chinese Arctic Presence: A study of strategic use of narratives between 2010 and 2021
Author
Berzins, Viesturs
Term
4. term
Publication year
2022
Submitted on
2022-05-30
Pages
54
Abstract
This thesis examines how Russia portrays China’s ambitions in the Arctic by analyzing English-language articles from pro-government Russian media. In today’s contested information environment, governments often craft strategic narratives—stories designed to advance political goals. To see what messages Russia sends to international audiences, the study builds a dataset of 158 articles and conducts a narrative analysis. It identifies 17 recurring narrative frames—common angles or storylines—grouped into broader narratives. The study treats these narratives as socially constructed and potentially strategically crafted. The results show a clear link between world events and both the number of articles and the themes they emphasize. Coverage becomes more openly anti-Western during periods such as when international sanctions are imposed on Russia. Pro-Kremlin outlets also tend to highlight Sino-Russian cooperation around major economic moments, like the Belt and Road Forum or the G20 summit. These patterns suggest conscious construction of narratives rather than organic shifts. The thesis argues that Anglophone, pro-government media are used to deliver messages to Western audiences and shape how they view Russia, China, and the Arctic.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan Rusland fremstiller Kinas ambitioner i Arktis ved at analysere engelsksprogede artikler fra pro-regeringsvenlige russiske medier. I et omstridt informationsmiljø udformer regeringer ofte strategiske fortællinger – historier, der skal fremme politiske mål. For at se hvilke budskaber Rusland sender til internationale målgrupper opbygger studiet et datasæt med 158 artikler og gennemfører en narrativ analyse. Det identificerer 17 tilbagevendende narrative rammer – gennemgående vinkler eller historier – som samles i bredere fortællinger. Studiet betragter disse fortællinger som socialt konstruerede og potentielt strategisk tilrettelagte. Resultaterne viser en tydelig sammenhæng mellem globale begivenheder og både antallet af artikler og de temaer, der fremhæves. Dækningen bliver mere udtalt anti-vestlig i perioder, hvor der for eksempel indføres internationale sanktioner mod Rusland. Pro-kremlske medier har også en tendens til at betone kinesisk-russisk samarbejde i forbindelse med store økonomiske begivenheder som Belt and Road Forum eller G20-topmødet. Disse mønstre peger på bevidst konstruktion af fortællinger snarere end organiske skift. Specialet argumenterer for, at engelsksprogede, pro-regeringsvenlige medier bruges til at levere budskaber til et vestligt publikum og forme opfattelsen af Rusland, Kina og Arktis.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords
China ; Russia ; Arctic ; Media ; Strategic narratives