A Corpus-Based Analysis of the Perspectives of Chinese and American Mainstream Media in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Abstract

Based on the research method of integrating corpus linguistics and critical discourse analysis (CDA), this study systematically compares the linguistic features, reporting positions, and propaganda strategies of mainstream Chinese and American media in reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 2023, using a self-built corpus of 100 news articles from each country. The findings reveal that American media actively construct an image of Israel as a sovereign state in their reporting, linking the Palestinian side to violent attacks to form a semantic framework of sovereign states confronting non-state violent organizations, reflecting their pro-Israel stance and anti-terrorism narrative orientation. In contrast, Chinese media emphasize the geopolitical and historical roots of the conflict, highlighting multilateral rules and civilian protection through a humanitarian lens, echoing China’s official support for the “two-state solution” and its role as a responsible major power in global governance. The research exposes the ideological differences and power relations behind language choices in international news reporting, filling an academic gap in the systematic comparison of Chinese and American media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.