The Role of the Chinese Media in Establishing Common Ground between Sino-African Philosophical Traditions: A Case Study on Peacekeeping Operations

Fanie Herman¹, Andrew Szanajda²

¹Graduate Institute of International Politics, National ChungHsin University, Taichung, Chinese Taipei.
²Overseas Chinese University, Taichung, Chinese Taipei.

DOI: 10.4236/chnstd.2013.21006                

Abstract

This work examines the role of the Chinese media in African peacekeeping operations (PKOs) in view of Chinese and African traditions that are combined through the concept of communitarianism. The values and belief systems of Confucianism and the African philosophy of Ubuntu in the peacekeeping environment stress the importance of focusing on collective achievements and producing results for the common good. Meanwhile, positive reporting is used as media approach to harmonize interaction between the peacekeepers and the parties in a conflict. As a result, as similar communal features are emphasized, value is added to China’s peacekeeping presence and confidence-building is encouraged. The Chinese media also has a good resonance on the perspectives of Africans toward China’s PKOs.

Keywords

Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs); Communitarianism; Confucius; Ubuntu; Positive Reporting

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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