Regional Dynamics and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: A Foreign Policy Analysis through the Prism of Print Media

Abstract

The study discusses the framing analysis of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the print media of the United States, India, China, and Pakistan.  The portrayal of CPEC has been analyzed in the context of; foreign policies of the said countries, opportunities, threats, and challenges. Data was collected from January 2016 to December 2021 from four popular newspapers from each of the countries. Quantitative content analysis was performed to examine the framing of CPEC. The findings suggest that the US and Indian newspapers express concerns about China's influence in the region through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and CPEC. The US perceives CPEC as a potential debt trap for Pakistan and is wary of growing Pakistan-China relations. In contrast, Chinese media portrays CPEC as a symbol of BRI's success, highlighting economic benefits and infrastructure development while addressing geopolitical concerns. This analysis sheds light on the multifaceted nature of China's foreign policy and its global engagement through BRI. The Pakistani newspaper gives extensive coverage of CPEC, highlighting its significance in regional relationships, connectivity, and development. It portrays Pakistan's foreign policy as strategically aligning with China for economic growth and regional connectivity, emphasizing cooperation and potential benefits, such as job opportunities and improved infrastructure.