A Corpus-based Discourse Study of Sustainability in the Chinese English-language Press Across 2013 and 2024

Autori

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13136/2281-4582/2026.i28.1762

Parole chiave:

Sustainability, News discourse, Diachronic studies, Corpus-based studies, China Daily

Abstract

Sustainability is a major global concern in this era of heightened climate change awareness, yet its discursive production in China’s official media remains underexplored. Therefore, this article conducts a diachronic corpus-based study of the discourse of sustainability represented in China Daily. The corpus is divided into two periods: from 2013 to 2018 and from 2019 to 2024. The findings from the data of these two periods indicate that China has consistently been an active participant in sustainability, with the economy serving as its key engine. Compared to the first period, in which domestic sustainability issues were the main concern, the second period gives greater prominence to international sustainability. During this transition, China’s focus has gradually shifted from domestic reform to a global orientation, and its image has evolved from an active practitioner to a regional leader in sustainability issues. It is suggested that China may further integrate social and environmental dimensions to present a more holistic narrative of its understanding and actions in sustainability.

Biografie autore

  • Ruby Rong Wei, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing
    • Ruby Rong WEI is an Associate Professor of linguistics at China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing. Her research interests include ecolinguistics, systemic functional linguistics, corpus linguistics, discourse analysis and communication studies. She has authored the monograph Systemic Functional Framework for International Ecological Discourse Analysis (2022, Wuhan University Press). Also she has co-authored the two books Functional Semantic Analysis of Chinese (2017, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press) and Functional Semantic Analysis of English (2017, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press). Ruby Rong has her recent publications in peer-reviewed journals such as Text & Talk, Functions of Language, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, and Journal of World Languages. 
  • Joanna Zijing Yin, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing
    • Joanna Zijing Yin is a senior undergraduate student majoring in English at China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing. Her research interests include ecolinguistics, corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, and intercultural communication. Joanna has a recent publication in the Chinese journal Comparative Study of Cultural Innovation.
  • Robert Poole, University of Alabama

    Robert Poole is an Associate Professor of TESOL and Applied Linguistics at the University of Alabama. His research interests include corpus-assisted discourse analysis, corpus-assisted ecolinguistics, and the use of corpora in language teaching and learning. His most recent book, Corpus-Assisted Ecolinguistics, was published in 2022 by Bloomsbury Academic. Additionally, Robert has recent publications in Applied Corpus Linguistics, Corpora, the Journal of Corpora and Discourse Studies, and the Journal of World Languages. He is currently serving as the lead academic editor of the forthcoming The Bloomsbury Handbook on Ecolinguistics. His current book project focuses specifically on language change of ecological relevance within US English language use—it will be published in 2026 with Routledge Publishing.

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Pubblicato

2026-09-11

Fascicolo

N. 28 (2026): Narratives of Sustainability: Interdisciplinary Insights and Ecolinguistic Perspectives

Sezione

Articoli: sezione monografica

Licenza

Copyright (c) 2026 Ruby Rong Wei, Joanna Zijing Yin, Robert Poole

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