The portrayal of migration in China's state and social media: ideological frameworks, images of migrants, and the influence of digital platforms

The article is a comprehensive study of the representation of migration processes in the Chinese media space, covering both official state media (exemplified by the central publication "Renmin Ribao") and social platforms (Weibo). The main focus is on a comparative analysis of the formation of images of two key groups: the Chinese diaspora abroad (huaqiao) and foreign migrants in China. The author examines in detail the ideological frameworks that set the tone for the coverage of migration themes, including emphasis on patriotism, economic success, and cultural adaptation. Special attention is paid to linguistic strategies for constructing media images, narrative models, and the emotional coloring of publications. The study also analyzes the transformation of traditional communication paradigms under the influence of digitalization, manifested in the emergence of new discursive practices and changes in the role of user-generated content. The research reveals the mechanisms of interaction between state information policy and public discussions on social networks, demonstrating both the ongoing differences and points of convergence between official and user discourses. The methodology includes content analysis of 50 publications from "Renmin Ribao" and 50 Weibo posts about the Chinese diaspora (huaqiao) and foreign migrants. Discourse analysis and content analysis (according to positive and negative tracks) were conducted. The study finds a dominance of positive images of migrants in Chinese media (90-95% in state media, 75-80% in social networks), reflecting an ideological orientation toward strengthening national unity and China's global image. State media emphasize patriotism, collectivism, and successful integration, while social networks allow for more variability, including discussions of adaptation difficulties. A key difference lies in cultural integration: for huaqiao, the preservation of traditions is important, while for foreigners, their assimilation is significant. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the comprehensive analysis of the interaction between state and user discourses, as well as in demonstrating the mechanisms of forming a managed media space in the digital age. The conclusions highlight that social media, despite greater freedom, do not contradict the official discourse but rather expand it while maintaining loyalty to ideological principles.

China, migration, state media, social media, ideology, image of a migrant, discourse analysis, Weibo, digital platforms, information policy