China’s propaganda song, “I Miss You on the South China Sea,” portrays coast guard personnel as relatable figures longing for loved ones.
Key Points
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Propaganda Song Release: China has released a new propaganda song, "I Miss You on the South China Sea," depicting Coast Guard personnel as relatable. Released on the 10th anniversary of a maritime ruling against China, it aims to soften its image and project a benign presence in disputed waters.
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Cultural and Emotional Messaging: The song uses personal and emotional storytelling to illustrate Coast Guard members’ longing for loved ones, aligning with China’s broader strategy to blend emotional storytelling with official narratives. Analysts suggest it’s more focused on internal alignment than changing international perceptions.
- Narrative Control and Strategy: China increasingly relies on popular media, influencers, and dual-language content to convey its positions. By emphasizing human stories, it seeks to present a peaceful image while maintaining consistency with government narratives, particularly targeting overseas Chinese communities.
China has released a new propaganda song titled “I Miss You on the South China Sea” to mark the 10th anniversary of an international ruling against its maritime claims. The song portrays coast guard personnel as relatable individuals longing for loved ones, coinciding with Beijing’s strategy to project a benign presence in the disputed region. It was released by Chinese state media in English this month, with a Mandarin version debuting earlier during the Lantern Festival.
The song attempts to use popular culture to shape perceptions regarding the contentious South China Sea dispute. Analysts argue that while the song aims to humanize coast guard members, it primarily serves to reinforce China’s official narrative rather than persuade international audiences. Ed Moon, an independent analyst, highlights that China’s focus remains on message alignment with state directives rather than global reception.
The music video exemplifies China’s broader efforts to use emotional storytelling across various media to control its narrative. Despite producing content in both Chinese and English, Beijing’s strategy increasingly relies on overseas influencers to create favorable content, which diminishes the role of English-language state media in its global communication.
The song represents China’s attempt to soften the image of its coast guard while employing culture as a political tool. Jason Ng Sze Chieh, a lecturer from Malaysia, notes this strategic use of cultural elements to assert China’s presence in the region. Overall, the song underscores China’s ongoing effort to depict its South China Sea presence as peaceful and normal while aligning with the Communist Party’s narrative.
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