Analysis: Western Media Narratives Shift in Response to China’s Economic Growth

## A Fresh Perspective on China: A Shift in Western Media Narratives

The annual “[two sessions](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3302017/chinas-two-sessions-2025-everything-you-need-know?module=inline&pgtype=article)” in Beijing offer a revealing glimpse into China’s strategic priorities. As always, it attracts the attention of [Western media](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3279964/western-media-urged-stop-telling-one-sided-stories-about-hong-kong-mainland-china?module=inline&pgtype=article), yet a subtle transformation seems to be afoot. A tempering of harsh critiques and a growing analytical maturity mark this change.

### Content Analysis: A Study of Shifting Sentiments

My colleagues and I embarked on a rather meticulous analysis of major Western news outlets. We tracked keyword usage related to China’s economy, technology, and environment from 2019 to 2025. The analysis included 10 prominent British and American news sources such as CNN, BBC News, and The New York Times. While in 2019, nearly 70% of their stories carried a negative tone, by 2025, this had notably declined to about 40%. There was also a discernible rise in neutral and positive coverage, particularly concerning the economy.

### Reasons for Changing Tones

Why this newfound balance, you may wonder? It appears there’s a broader acknowledgment of China’s achievements and its pivotal role in the global economy. Western newsrooms now seem to be moving beyond a predominantly negative framing towards a more nuanced portrayal of China. Several dynamics can be attributed to this shift.

### China’s Economic Landscape: A Narrative of Growth

First and foremost, the undeniable scale and results of [China’s economic policies](https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3277258/china-rising-or-slowing-down-answer-its-complicated?module=inline&pgtype=article) cannot be ignored. By 2024, consumer spending contributed 44.5% to China’s economic growth, outpacing both exports and investments. A remarkable surge of about 40% in [electric vehicle](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3293949/beijing-renews-ev-subsidy-spur-sales-keeps-size-incentive-unchanged-2024?module=inline&pgtype=article) sales underscores a robust domestic market. Moreover, the government’s commitment to issuing special treasury bonds to support [trade-in programmes](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3299661/chinese-gobble-goods-subsidy-scheme-trade-ins-fuel-consumption-can-it-last?module=inline&pgtype=article) demonstrates an unwavering dedication to boosting consumer spending.

### Geopolitical Shifts and Climate Considerations

The evolving geopolitical stage, particularly marked by [US-China trade tensions](https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3298170/trumps-latest-trade-offensive-more-about-power-economics?module=inline&pgtype=article) and a concerted global focus on [climate change](https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3300953/can-china-and-india-step-fill-climate-void-left-trumps-america?module=inline&pgtype=article), compels Western media to reassess China’s global role. With Western economies facing their own dilemmas, China’s relative economic stability begins to appear increasingly appealing.

### Tables and Summaries

| Year | Negative Tone (%) | Neutral Tone (%) | Positive Tone (%) |
|——|——————-|——————|——————-|
| 2019 | 70 | 20 | 10 |
| 2025 | 40 | 35 | 25 |

Indeed, the narrative of China in Western media is evolving. Whether this shift will lead to further collaboration or new forms of tension remains to be seen. However, the journey towards understanding appears to move forward with a touch of complexity and depth hitherto underestimated.