Shaping the New China : The International Propaganda of the People’s Republic of China during the Korean War, 1950-1953

Abstract

This thesis delves into the international propaganda efforts of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) during the Korean War, delineating the evolution of its strategies from 1950 to 1953. By scrutinizing war-related content in People’s China, the PRC’s primary English language magazine, this study unveils the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) deliberate efforts to craft diverse portrayals of the PRC for global audiences. The depiction of the PRC in People’s China exhibits fluidity, adapting to shifts in the Korean War dynamics and global contexts. Additionally, the CCP’s propaganda tactics exhibit flexibility, tailoring discourses in People’s China to resonate with Southeast Asian readers through references to Pan-Asianism and anti-colonial sentiments. Furthermore, the CCP adeptly manipulates World War II memories and propagates conspiracy theories to stoke anti-American sentiments, a strategy evident in the contemporary “Wolf Warrior Diplomacy” and foreign propaganda of the PRC. This thesis not only contributes to the research of the early Cold War but also offers historical insights crucial for comprehending the PRC’s contemporary overseas propaganda and diplomatic approaches.