This study employs Norman Fairclough's (2015) critical discourse analysis to investigate how the "Made in China 2025" (MIC25) initiative constructs images of New China rooted in innovation, self-reliance, and global leadership in technology within the broader context of Industry 4.0. By analysing the strategic language and discursive strategies embedded in the data, this research reveals how linguistic choices such as leadership language, intertextuality, and temporal framing are used to position New China as a technological powerhouse. The study explores how MIC25 uses repetition and lexical framing to emphasize technological self-sufficiency, intertwining national pride with aspirations for global competitiveness. It also examines the role of cooperative rhetoric and standardization language in aligning China's aspirations with broader socio-political aspirations, including the Chinese Dream. Furthermore, the analysis incorporates theories like technological nationalism and cultural political economy to explain the socio-political motivations behind New China. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how language in state policy shapes perceptions of national power, providing insights into the interplay between discourse, ideology, and global technological competition. This research extends CDA's application to non-Western contexts, highlighting the complex ways in which MIC25 articulates China's vision of economic and technological leadership.
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This study employs Norman Fairclough's (2015) critical discourse analysis to investigate how the "Made in China 2025" (MIC25) initiative constructs images of New China rooted in innovation, self-reliance, and global leadership in technology within the broader context of Industry 4.0. By analysing the strategic language and discursive strategies embedded in the data, this research reveals how linguistic choices such as leadership language, intertextuality, and temporal framing are used to position New China as a technological powerhouse. The study explores how MIC25 uses repetition and lexical framing to emphasize technological self-sufficiency, intertwining national pride with aspirations for global competitiveness. It also examines the role of cooperative rhetoric and standardization language in aligning China's aspirations with broader socio-political aspirations, including the Chinese Dream. Furthermore, the analysis incorporates theories like technological nationalism and cultural political economy to explain the socio-political motivations behind New China. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how language in state policy shapes perceptions of national power, providing insights into the interplay between discourse, ideology, and global technological competition. This research extends CDA's application to non-Western contexts, highlighting the complex ways in which MIC25 articulates China's vision of economic and technological leadership.
