China’s image in the Belt and Road Initiative: case study of Pakistan and India

National image as one important source of soft power has been paid close attention in China. This thesis examines China’s new national image shaping in the framework of ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in the same time, how other countries like Pakistan and India respond to China’s self-image are discussed. By using Fairclough and Foucault’s critical discourse analysis, the thesis argues that the Belt and Road Initiative project China as a powerful, responsible contributor with great taking. However, in the case of Pakistan, although mainly positive in media’s reports, suspicion and supervision maintains. As for India’s perception, China acts as an aggressive threat and revisionist power. It concludes that China consciously exercise soft power to improve its image in BRI, however China’s lack of political credibility constrains its image.