Mechanisms of representation of the cultural Other and their connections with processes of self-expression constitute the core of China in the Frame. This original ethnographic study of Chinese-themed displays of artworks in a selection of permanent and temporary exhibitions in Italy highlights specific forms of the materialisation of ideas of cultural identities. The Other represented by these displays is China, the identity of which is nowadays perceived by a wider western public, if not unambiguously, at least more closely, thanks to faster and intensified means of communication and interaction. The representing counterpart is Italy, the identity of which, far from being firmly univocal, is fragmentary and not rigidly set due to the country’s peculiar socio-historical circumstances. The wide range of case studies brought together in this book draw attention to the impact of physical and cultural settings, as well as of various exhibitive criteria and techniques, on different types of manifestations of ideas of China through the medium of museum display. Adopting an underlying theoretical framework whereby representation is a mimetic operation that creatively contributes to the transmission of awareness and knowledge of the Other, the book provides a re-evaluation of the concept of appropriation, emphasising how the recognition of a cultural Other can be instrumental in the determination of certain modes of self-expression. On this basis, the book also elaborates a suggestive definition of Italian Orientalism intended as a phenomenon by which while relating to and trying to represent China, Italy is induced to question and represent its own cultural identity. Through an analysis of fieldwork data, the book identifies and navigates the long and rich history of many of the buildings housing the displays, the different ages of the specimens exhibited and the diversity of topics illustrated, spanning from the artistic and technical achievements of ancient China to the socio-economic changes of contemporary China. As representations are re-affirmed, developed and changed, the variety of materials included in the displays play a relevant part in bringing forth the comprehensive and overarching character of cultural representations in museum contexts.

News Framing Through English-Chinese Translation provides a useful tool to depict how Chinese news translation can be examined in the era of globalization. The author has integrated framing theory in journalism studies with translation studies and developed a new theoretical model/framework named Transframing. This interdisciplinary model is pioneering and will make theoretical and conceptual contributions to translation studies. This book aims to reveal ideological, sociocultural and linguistic factors creating media discourse by examining Chinese media discourse, in comparison to its counterpart in English. Through the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative methods, it is concluded that the transframing model can be applied to interpreting, describing, explaining as well as predicting the practice of news translation.

This book explores how news media construct social issues and events and thereby convey certain perceptions within the scope of framing theory. By operationalizing media framing as a process of interpretation through defining problem, diagnosing causes, making moral judgments and suggesting solutions, the book proposes a systematic and transparent approach to images in news discourse. Based on a frame analysis, it examines how German news media framed a list of China-related issues and events, and thereby conveyed particular beliefs and opinions on this country. Moreover, it investigates whether there were dominant patterns of interpretation and the extent to which diverse views were evident by comparing two major daily newspapers with opposite political orientations - the FAZ and the taz. Motivated by the relationship between image and reality, the book explores image formation and persistence from media construction of meaning and human cognitive complexity in perceiving others. Media select certain issues and events and then interpret them from particular perspectives. A variety of professional and non-professional factors behind news making may result in biased representations. In addition, from a social psychological perspective, inaccurate perceptions of foreign cultures may arise from categorical thinking, biased processing of stimulus information, intergroup conflicts of interest and in-group favoritism. Accordingly, whether media coverage deviates from reality is not the main concern of this book; instead, it emphasizes the underlying logics upon which the conclusions and judgments were drawn. It therefore contributes to a rational understanding of Western discourse and holds practical implications for both Chinese public diplomacy and a more constructive role of news media in promoting the understanding of others.

Framing China sheds new light on Western relations with and perceptions of China in the first half of the twentieth century. In this ground-breaking book, Ariane Knüsel examines how China was portrayed in political debates and the media in Britain, the USA and Switzerland between 1900 and 1950. By focusing on the political, economic, cultural and social context that led to the construction of the particular images of China in each country, the author demonstrates that national interests, anxieties and issues influenced the way China was framed and resulted in different portrayals of China in each country. The author’s meticulous analysis of a vast amount of newspaper and magazine articles, commentaries, editorials, cartoons and newsreels that have previously not been studied before also focuses on the transnational circulation of images of China. While previous publications have dealt with the occurrence of the Yellow Peril and Red Menace in particular countries, Framing China reveals that these images were interpreted differently in every nation because they both reflected and contributed to the discursive construction of nationhood in each country and were influenced by domestic issues, cultural values, pre-existing stereotypes, pressure groups and geopolitical aspirations.

This life story of Linda Liu covers her youth, career, marriage, and motherhood during the Mao era of China. Linda delights in spending her early childhood life in a traditional family in the countryside, especially in her maternal grandpas home. But in 1947, Lindas grandpa is declared in the rich-peasant class, and then the government confiscates his land and house, and the seven family members escaped to Beijing. Linda loves her courtyard home and the surrounding area close to Tiananmen Square. In the 1950s, as a teenager, Linda participates in various social activities and trusts Mao and believes the Chinese Communist partys propagandas that communism will be carried out in China for the good of all. But her father loses his business and job because of the socialist transformation of capitalist enterprises. Millions people starve to death during Three Years of Great Chinese Famine, and Linda also starves and suffers from TB. She doubts if socialism can save people. Linda finds her soul mate at her university, and they love and support each other whatever happens. In 1965, Linda is assigned to Xinjiang with too little work and is separated from her family for seven years because people do not have freedom of speech, religion, job change, and residence under Maos class struggle theory. During the Culture Revolution, many people die and suffer persecution, including her mother, who is wrongly struggled against almost to death. Working in an institute, Linda experiences a typical intellectual life. After the anti-Rightist struggle, intellectuals are in an awkward position, which leads many to die in middle ages from lack of food and mental pressure. After Mao, she and people wish China will have a big change.