The UK-China relationship has encountered challenges, marked by increasing negativity in media and policy since 2018. British media tends to present China in a negative light, primarily focusing on political and economic aspects, while neglecting a broader understanding. Despite calls for recognition, the depiction of China in UK media remains incomplete, hindering informed discourse.
In recent years, the relationship between the UK and China has faced significant challenges, resulting in increased tensions and a noticeable drift from the previously strong rapport, particularly during the period referred to as the ‘Golden Era’ 2014-15. By close to 2022, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the end of the robust ties between the two countries.
Whether this characterization was ever accurate is debatable. However, there has been a noticeable increase in negative sentiments towards China in the UK since 2018, reaching a peak in 2020, signifying a significant shift in public opinion. This change has become increasingly evident in the British media and has influenced governmental policies towards China.
According to a 2022 report by Freedom House, the British public doesn’t view Chinese media as a reliable source on China. Instead, they rely on the British media for more balanced coverage. Dr. Tim Summers in his research paper “Shaping the policy debate: How does the British media present China?” highlights how the British media influences the ‘Overton window,’ defining acceptable policy discussions.
It must be noted that the absence of positive coverage and related parliamentary debates not only limits conversations on engagement but also has notable policy implications regardless of whether China’s portrayal depicted in media is accurate or fair. While there are other reliable sources of information, including public or private lobby and advocacy groups, their influence in shaping the agenda for parliamentary debates and discussions on China is evident. This is particularly noticeable in discussions regarding Hong Kong.
Moreover, recent public opinion surveys indicate a prevalence of negative perceptions of China in the UK. However, these surveys also reveal that the media significantly shapes the public’s understanding of China. Hence, it’s essential to scrutinize the origins of these negative views and how public opinion is shaped.
On July 13, 2023, the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) of the UK Parliament published a 207-page China report that showed China to constitute a “whole of state threat.” The report argues that Beijing’s ambition of becoming a technological and economic superpower represents a significant risk to the UK’s national interest.
Reports from media sources (The Financial Times Big Reads) about China from 2019-2022 are examined in studies that have already been conducted on the many themes covered by British media regarding China. A fascinating observation is when the UK was exiting the EU (it officially left on January 31, 2020, and initially set a deadline of the end of 2020 to negotiate a post-Brexit deal with the EU), China was discussed more frequently than Brexit. In 2019, there were 20 pieces with the word “Brexit” in the title, compared to 34 on China; in 2020, there were only 8 articles on Brexit, compared to 35 on China and 83 on the coronavirus pandemic, which was that year’s big news story.
It was concluded that the majority of these framed China negatively, sometimes strongly so. Over the four years, only two articles were positive – both related to business and published in 2021.
The articles also mainly focus on China’s domestic and international politics, economy, and business, reflecting the interests of the Financial Times and its readers. Negative portrayals of China often appear in political stories, highlighting themes such as China’s assertiveness in its external relations, increasing authoritarianism under Xi Jinping, especially in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and criticism of China’s political system as secretive, unpredictable, and irrational. Coverage of COVID-19 also emphasizes China’s alleged cover-up and poor decision-making, attributed to its political system and leadership.
In 2022, the Big Reads also frequently ridiculed the Chinese government’s “common prosperity” scheme, which served as the umbrella for several policy and economic issues, including the alleged “tech crackdown.”
To sum it up, media reporting on China appears to be unbalanced, focusing primarily on politics, and economy, and less on society and culture, potentially leading to an incomplete understanding of the country. Negative issues receive more coverage, reflecting a broader trend in media, especially in reporting on countries considered adversaries. This selective coverage is more pronounced in international issues involving countries labeled as ‘enemies’ or ‘rivals’ rather than ‘friends’.
In the current political climate, it seems unlikely that this situation will change. As previously emphasized, responsible politicians and policymakers need to recognize the incomplete and inaccurate depiction of China in the media. Essentially, the ongoing media coverage and public discourse in the UK concerning China fail to capture the nuanced reality of the nation, limiting opportunities for a thorough understanding and balanced discussion about this significant country.
