A Nation Framed: Victimhood Narrative in China’s State Media from the 1960s to 2020s

• In Event: 40811 - When Do Stories Work? Narrative Persuasion

Abstract

Since the early 20th century, victimhood rhetoric has been a defining feature of Chinese nationalism, shaping both public culture and political discourse. Despite China's rise as a global power, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to emphasize national victimhood, a phenomenon that sets China apart from other nations that have historically moved beyond such narratives after achieving geopolitical strength. This paper examines how and why victimhood rhetoric persists in contemporary China by analyzing its historical evolution, strategic functions, and political implications. Drawing on discourse analysis of state media newspapers, I investigate when and why the CCP invokes national victimhood, how these narratives have shifted over time, and what they obscure. Situating this analysis within the broader framework of victimhood nationalism, I argue that the CCP employs victimhood as a strategic tool to bolster domestic legitimacy, deflect political pressure, and justify assertive foreign policies. By extending theories of nationalism and collective memory, this research contributes to our understanding of how historical suffering is actively reconstructed to serve present-day political agendas.

Author

• Yuchen Luo, New York University