Rethinking Chinese Journalism and Soft Power in Africa: Capturing the “Reflexivity” of Chinese Foreign Correspondents

In recent years, China’s increasing media presence in Africa has garnered extensive global attention. However, there remains a significant deficiency in understanding its actual effects and theoretical implications from a China-centered perspective. The current study focuses on Chinese foreign correspondents stationed in Africa to discuss their understandings of China’s soft power strategy and its connection with media. Based on 19 semi-structured in-depth interviews, this research identifies the “reflexivity” in both the perceptions and practice of Chinese foreign correspondents. For perception, their “reflexivity” remained largely on the “technical” side instead of the “legitimate” side of the situation. For practice, strategies include the “merging” strategy, “boundary-setting” strategy, and a “generalizing” and “non-aggressive” strategy were taken to reduce confusion in their work. Following a “theory-building” approach, the findings of the current research facilitated understandings of the complexity and nuances in the relationship between Chinese foreign correspondents, Chinese media, and China’s soft power campaign.