From the Iron Man to Yao Ming: The Changing Face of China’s Heroes

• In Event: Top Papers in Association For Chinese Communication Studies

Abstract

China’s Model Worker Award system is a unique rhetorical strategy that uses multiple modes of communication to prescribe citizens with standards and instruction for citizenship. The awards exemplify the principles, goals, and ideals of regime leadership at a given time, and how those ideals are rhetorically altered to secure the nation’s stability within times of changing national leadership and need. This study details the use of iconic citizenship through three major periods of CCP leadership.

Author

• Rya Butterfield, Louisiana State University