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Online Chinese Perceptions of Latin America: How They Differ from the Official View*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 March 2012

Simon Shen
Simon Shen
Affiliation:
Hong Kong Institute of Education. Email: simon.shen.ss@gmail.com
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Abstract

Using online Chinese communities as primary sources, this article studies public perceptions in China of Latin America in terms of how the region is seen as part of the Third World while also offering China a convenient backyard by which to access the First World United States. Codified online public opinion on four different Latin American topics is then analysed and compared with official opinion: how “Latin Americanization” becomes China's nightmare, how the Latin Americans should learn from the “China model,” how the Latin Americans were being discriminated in the H1N1 epidemic, and how the “Latin American card” to balance the United States is emphasized. The conclusion suggests that only when the stereotypes discussed in this article are dismissed will the true value of Latin America gradually obtain any standing in the eyes of ordinary Chinese and will the Latin American mission of the Chinese government be fully understood by its subjects.

Keywords

ChinaLatin Americainternetpublic opinionsSino-US relations
Type
Articles
Information
The China Quarterly , Volume 209 , March 2012 , pp. 157 - 177
Copyright
Copyright © The China Quarterly 2012

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