This Bachelor Thesis explores the Chinese strategy "Peaceful Rise" under the Chinese President Xi Jinping as perceived and expressed by the German chancellor Angela Merkel in her speeches from 2014...Show moreThis Bachelor Thesis explores the Chinese strategy "Peaceful Rise" under the Chinese President Xi Jinping as perceived and expressed by the German chancellor Angela Merkel in her speeches from 2014 until April 2019. The study was conducted through a frame analysis in the context of the Shannon and Weaver communication model. The speeches were chosen according to the occurence of the keyword "China" (mentioned at least four times). The four frames identified in the official political speeches are (1) China as an opportunity, (2) China as a global power, (3) China as a role model, and (4) China as a threat. In the context of previous research, economic cooperation remained the main factor in advancing diplomatic relations between Germany and China. Chinese competition in regards to financial institutions (AIIB) and the Emission Trading System (ETS) were presented under the "China as a threat" frame by Angela Merkel. A possible explanation is the shortfall or missing initiatives in those aspects by the European and/or German institutions. More so, this research suggests to expand the term smart power by the elements of normative power in the context of the Chinese development. To expand on this thesis, further research is recommended in regards to the Chinese culture as perceived abroad. Furthermore, a media perspective could give insights about the question, whether political and media publications differ in their perception on the Chinese "Peaceful Rise" and analyze which medium is more effective in addressing the audience.Show less
