The Changing Images of China in Straits Times in the 1970s

摘要

The current booming academic researches on media and national image analysis in China fail to pay attention to Singapore English press due to constraints of language and research orientation, which does not match Singapore's influence and position considering the long-term bilateral relationship and the fast-improving exchanges between the two countries. Starting from German philosopher Hans-Georg Gadmer's Philosophical Hermeneutics, the author would argue that being restrained by the prejudice, the influence of power and tradition, the general public, even researchers often fail to understand the whole scope of a certain phase of history. By using the content analysis and data statistics of news reports in Strait Times, coupled with relevant survey results, unfolding the general truth while focusing on key incidents, the author would try to reveal a more truthful picture of the bilateral relationship between China and Singapore in the 1970s. Relevant news reports in Singapore Chinese newspapers would be provided on key incidents as a contrast. As is shown from the perspective of Singaporeans, which differs from previous historical analysis from Chinese standpoints, it would give a more complete and significant landscape of history and further deepen the understanding the power of prejudice in history.