Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 on China’s International Image

Abstract

At the end of 2019 the first outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections occurred in Wuhan, prompting the China government to take up lockdown measures to stop the outbreak from spreading. This showed that the country’s pursuit of administrative efficiency against the epidemic came at the expense of the universal values of freedom, democracy, and human rights. Moreover, the central government’s slow response to the initial outbreak of COVID-19 and its concealment led to it quickly spreading around the world. For this reason, U.S. President Trump’s administration frequently used the term “Chinese virus” in place of its proper terminology.

Although China has been actively building up its image as a “great nation that has succeeded in fighting epidemics” through its “Global Foreign Propaganda” campaign and diplomatic actions, it has still been criticized by European countries, the United States, and other countries at international conferences. The United States and other countries formally blamed China for COVID-19 and asked for compensation, and even anti-Chinese sentiments in the international community have arisen. Although China has employed its “Global Foreign Propaganda” campaign and various diplomatic actions to refurbish and build up a heroic image of fighting against the epidemic, the international community still questions the integrity of its government and its political propaganda purposes.