Developing Stereotype “The Fighting People” of Russians (Discource and Content-Analisis of China Media and On-line “Weibo” Networks

The theory of stereotypes, particularly national or ethnic stereotypes, has garnered significant attention from sociologists, political scientists, and scholars of international relations due to its theoretical significance and political implications. Stemming from Walter Lippmann’s notion of stereotypes as simplified mental pictures reflecting reality, this paper delves into the formation and evolution of stereotypes, particularly focusing on the Chinese perception of Russians as a “Fighting People” Examining the emergence of the term “Fighting People” in Chinese discourse, the paper traces its origin from online fandom of a Japanese anime series to its widespread adoption in official and unofficial Chinese media. Utilizing discourse, content, and sentiment analysis of online platforms such as Weibo, the study explores the propagation of this stereotype and its cultural connotations.