This study examines the pro-democracy protests of Hong Kong in 2014 and how the protests became sites for Beijing’s representations of Chinese national image(s). It argues that ‘defensive soft power’ can be used to understand the process through which Beijing made such representations and projections. ‘Defensive soft power’, extending on Nye’s soft power is operationally defined as the reactionary activities taken in responses to actions that harm or potentially harm a country’s national image.
Based on an analysis of the data drawn from three mainland news media, several perceptions of China emerge - China as a victim; China as reasonable and restraint power; and an inclination towards supporting the status quo. This research highlights the ‘Umbrella Revolution’ as an occasion where ‘defensive soft power’ was used to (1) fend off negative national images and (2) project positive national images. Mapping out the process of national image defence will enable readers to better understand a sovereign state’s strategies to defend attacks on its national image and how it promotes positive perceptions of its image.
