Narrating China and Europe in Uncertain Times

by Shaun Breslin (Contribution by), Daniela Caterina (Contribution by), Jelena Gledic (Contribution by), Christelle Genoud (Contribution by), Chi Zhang (Contribution by)

Overview

This edited volume examines the crucial, yet overlooked, role narratives play in the rapidly changing relationship between Europe and China.

Its contributors analyse the role of narratives in different societies and arenas ranging from economic and foreign policy to history and social media. Emphasizing the social dimension of narrative, the volume challenges traditional state-centric and strategic approaches in international politics. It also engages with the ubiquity of stories about the “other” in present manifold crises, and underscores the need for a heightened awareness of narratives and their consequences in decision-making processes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529238044
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	05/20/2025
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ágota Révész is a sinologist with experience in diplomacy. She currently works for Helmholtz Centre Potsdam.

Magnus Feldmann is Associate Professor in Politics at the University of Bristol.

Duncan Freeman is Lecturer at the Brussels Management School (ICHEC).

Steven Langendonk is Postdoctoral Researcher at the Helmut Schmidt Universityin Hamburg and KU Leuven.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Studying Narratives and China-Europe Relations – Ágota Révész, Duncan Freeman, Magnus Feldmann, Steven Langendonk

Part 1: Foreign Policy and International Relations

1. Where Does Discourse Take Us? Perceptions of the State(craft) in UK-China Relations – Shaun Breslin

2. Italy and the ‘China Issue’: (Populist) Narratives Across Recent Critical Junctures – Daniela Caterina

3. Narrating the Sino-Serbian ‘Iron Friendship’: European and Chinese Approaches to the Role of Culture in International Relations – Jelena Gledić

4. The Unicorn, the Dragon, and the Storytellers: A study of Foreign Narrative Making’ in the EU – Steven Langendonk

Part 2: Public Policy

5. China, Europe and Dual Circulation: Emerging Narratives of China’s New Economic Model – Duncan Freeman and Ágota Révész

6. The EU and the Chinese Human Rights Narrative: Who Benefits from Politicization? – Christelle Genoud

7. The EU’s Narratives of Counter-terrorism and the Prospects of Sino-European Security Cooperation - Chi Zhang, Xuechen Chen and Jilong Yang

Part 3: Media and Communication

8. The Role of Science and Technology in European Narratives about China – Magnus Feldmann and Aleksandra Stelmach

9. From Academic Partner to ‘Academic Threat' German and UK Media Narratives on European-Chinese Academic Cooperation since Xi Jinping – Eva Seiwert

10. Emotions and Narratives on China in Turkish Social Media and Political Speeches: A Comparative Analysis - Cagri Cöltekin and Gül Kurtoglu Eskisar

Part 4: Historical perspectives

11. Chosen Traumas: China’s Ever-lasting Century of Humiliation (Bai Nian Guochi) and Sino-European Relations – Jasper Roctus

12. The Weight of History: Narratives of Crisis and Cold War Rhetoric – Bart Dessein

13. Conclusion – Ágota Révész, Duncan Freeman, Magnus Feldmann, Steven Langendonk

Editorial Reviews

This book is required reading for academics, students and members of the general public with an interest in Europe–China relations, as these become increasingly crucial to global politics.” Richard McMahon, UniversityCollege London

“This book puts forward an original take on Europe–China relations, enriching our understanding of the subject and venturing into new avenues of scholarly research.” Nicola Casarini, Istituto Affari Internazionali

From the Publisher