Crossroads of Belt and Road Initiative: The image framing of China in Nepali print media

This paper examines the image of China and BRI reflected in the three Nepalese domestic print media, based on 215 contents published from 14 March 2017 to 16 July 2017, following a mixed-method approach. The findings are based on content analysis: this paper found that the image of China during the period was positive (39%) with a lower percentage of negative tones (28%) reflected in news, editorials, opinions, remarks, and interviews. The subject areas of infrastructure, development, and economic prosperity dominated the positive tones. Based on media framing theory, the results highlight five key elements: 1) The political image is to some "sceptical but prominent" friends; 2) China's economic image is framed as a “friend in weal and woe” for economic growth of Nepal; 3) the infrastructure and development image is framed as “foremost for renaissance of Nepal and South Asia”; 4) they portray the strategic aspect as “attentive yet non-aggressive”; 5) they portray cultural exchanges as fruitful and bonding. Finally, due to political parallelism, media outlets shape the images of China and BRI differently yet in similar ways.