Table 4 Identified salient self-predications by CMD.
From: Comparing discursive reproductions of national military image between China and the United States
Identified predications | Linguistic realisations | Examples of realisations |
|---|---|---|
Peace-lover: China actively participates into international initiatives to promote peace | verbs denoting participation into international organisations or actions that promote peace | has sent military personnel to participate in multilateral engagements; has actively promoted cooperations in various areas; supports the international community in its activities to promote world and regional peace |
Non-Threatening: China’s military expenditure and development poses no threat to the world | nouns, verbs, phrases or clauses denoting the spending of military expenses | China attaches great importance to military transparency; higher overall cost-effectiveness in military expenditure |
Sovereignty Defender: China’s army exerts every effort to safeguard its territory integrity | nouns or verbs denoting the rejection of Taiwan’s dependence on China mainland and protection of its territorial sovereignty | safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty; uphold unity and territorial integrity and promote national development |
People’s Defender: China’s military operates under the leadership of CPC and serves the people | nouns, verbs or phrases denoting affiliation | under the leadership of CPC; the Party’s absolute leadership over PLA; CPC arm the military with political theories |
