THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA RESPONDED TO THE NAGOYA MAYOR’S DENIAL: A STUDY ON NANJING MASSACRE THROUGH NEW MEDIA (2012-2017)

Abstract

With the rapid development of information technology, Internet technology and digital technology in recent years, being digital has become a reality. New media emerged as the latest tendency and made a wide influence on different perspectives of the society. New media, as a best tool of information communication, has had a great effect on daily work and life style. Meanwhile, it began to produce influence on diplomacy and international relations and has become a hot topic in the science of diplomacy. Starting from the basic concept, main expressions and characteristics of new media communication, the paper will explore how new media makes influence on international relations and foreign affairs. Then, it will take Internet as an example to explore its influence on China’s foreign affairs from the perspectives of current situation, new characteristics and actual cases. The paper will analyze the hot Internet event caused by the denial of Nanjing Massacre by the mayor of Nagoya, Japan, in 2012 and its effects up to 2017, and try to analyze how China through new media to respond the denial of Nanjing Massacre through this case study. Lastly, the paper will make a prospect on Chinese new media-based diplomacy and discuss about the opportunities and challenges it will face. It will still provide some suggestions on Chinese new media development including the change of governments’ attitude on this issue, upgrading of the media technologies, improvement of the institution system and enhancement of the professional team construction.