Navigating narratives: A framing analysis of AUKUS in Chinese state media

Abstract: This thesis investigates how the framing of AUKUS, a trilateral security and defense collaboration consisting of Australia, United Kingdom, and the United States, is portrayed by Chinese state media. AUKUS, established on September 15, 2021, is mainly focusing on providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarine technology. This turn of event has attracted a lot of attention and enquiry from China, nations around the South China Sea and the rest of the world. The study implements media framing analysis, utilizing Boydstun’s Policy Frames Codebook to analyze articles from three Chinese state media outlets. Through this methodological approach a thorough understanding of the official Chinese viewpoint on AUKUS is provided. The aim of the study is to illuminate these official viewpoints on AUKUS by exploring the overriding narratives presented in Chinese state media outlets. The findings showed that the most dominant frame present in Chinese state media is the security and defense frame followed by the external regulation and reputation frame. This suggests a focus on framing AUKUS in the context of regional security dynamics and international relations. The study contributes to a greater insight of the utilization of media framing in state-controlled media, especially in regard to geopolitical developments, such as AUKUS.