Studying the Discourse Construction of China's Ecological Image Based on Discourse-Historical Approach

Ecological image is an important and indispensable aspect of multi-dimensional national image. Using discourse-historical approach as a theoretical framework and a self-constructed corpus, this paper conducts a discourse analysis of the reports on "carbon emission peak" and "carbon neutrality" in China Daily, aiming to explore the themes, intertextuality, and discourse strategies of China's ecological image self-invention discourse. The study found that China Daily elaborated six thematic contents around the "dual-carbon goal", but the intertextuality of the text is at a low level and needs to be deepened. The news adopts nomination strategies to strengthen self-identity and group identity and convey the idea of a community of ecological destiny for mankind; it adopts predication strategies to create a positive image by using positive words; and it adopts debate strategies to emphasize China's achievements in addressing ecological issues through figures and responsibility topics. Overall, China's foreign propaganda media have portrayed an image of a green, cooperative, innovative and responsible ecological power.