Xi–Biden Summit coverage: Chinese media frames for global and domestic readers

Situated against the recent tumultuous backdrop of Sino–U.S. relations, this study examines the coverage of the November 2023 Xi–Biden Summit by the People’s Daily and China Daily. As authoritative, national-level media outlets reflecting party policies, the People’s Daily, published in Chinese, primarily caters to a domestic audience, while China Daily, in English, targets an international readership. Using framing analysis grounded in agenda-setting theory, this paper investigates how these two outlets presented the summit to foster public support for China’s U.S. policy, particularly after a decade of predominantly negative portrayals. The study examines which aspects were emphasized, downplayed, or omitted and identifies key similarities and differences in their approaches, considering the implications for their respective audiences. Our findings show that both the People’s Daily and China Daily portrayed the summit positively, highlighting President Xi’s diplomatic efforts and China’s commitment to constructive engagement with the United States. This approach emphasizes China’s growing global influence and its willingness to work with other major powers. However, while the People’s Daily focused on areas of agreement and cooperation for domestic readers, China Daily also addressed contentious issues by employing conflictual frames in line with Western news conventions. Additionally, China Daily emphasized cultural elements underscoring China’s heritage and civilization. This study offers valuable insights into how state media outlets frame and interpret such diplomatic events, revealing the nuances of Chinese media narratives and their impact on domestic and international audiences.