ATLANTA — Georgia State University PhD Candidate and Transcultural Conflict and Violence Initiative (TCV) Presidential Fellow, Keyu Alexander Glanz presented research at International Studies Association’s (ISA) 66th Annual Convention, ‘Reconnecting International Studies’ which took place March 2nd – March 5th, 2025 in Chicago, IL. Among the presentations were: ‘Adapting to Economic Shifts: CGTN’s Economic Public Diplomacy on Facebook and Instagram’with authors: Keyu Alexander Glanz, Carol Kay Winkler, Virginia Massignan, Kareem El Damanhoury, Vithika Selomi, and Ayse Lokmanoglu; and ‘Sentiment and Topic Modeling in China-U.S. Foreign Ministry/State Department Press Briefings’ authored by Glanz.
Adapting to Economic Shifts: CGTN’s Economic Public Diplomacy on Facebook and Instagram
Authors: Keyu Alexander Glanz, Carol Kay Winkler, Virginia Massignan, Kareem El Damanhoury, Vithika Selomi, and Ayse Lokmanoglu
The existing literature on China’s economic public diplomacy predominantly examines overarching strategic approaches, yet the interplay between China’s economic context indicators and its economic messaging remains understudied. To address this gap, this study analyses CGTN’s economic messaging on its Facebook and Instagram accounts over the past five-year period. The research identifies how the posts on economic topics respond to economic indicators while targeting diverse regional audiences across multilingual accounts. Leveraging computer-assisted methods such as word embeddings, topic modeling, and statistical linear regression, this study reveals associations between CGTN’s economic messaging levels to value fluctuations in China’s CNY vs. the U.S. dollar. The findings reveal that CGTN deploys an adaptive, economic public diplomacy strategy that tailors its economic narratives to align with real-time economic conditions to showcase China’s global outreach and influence. By mapping out the interaction between economic indicators and state-owned media messaging, this study facilitates understandings of how economic dynamism plays out in China’s economic public diplomacy, and how state media effectively navigates economic trends to bolster their diplomatic objectives.
Sentiment and Topic Modeling in China-U.S. Foreign Ministry/State Department Press Briefings
Author: Keyu Alexander Glanz
Both China and the United States acknowledge that their bilateral relationship stands as one of the most critical and consequential on the global stage. However, the extent to which the significance of China-U.S. relations is reflected in official foreign policy remarks remains an understudied area. This study aims to fill this literature gap by analyzing the sentiments and topics embedded in the daily press conferences of both the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department in past decades (between 2002 and 2022). Using computer-assisted sentiment analysis and topical modeling, this research uncovers the divergent narrative strategies and diplomatic priorities employed by each country in addressing their rival. By examining the topics and sentiments in official diplomatic communications, the study highlights how each nation frames its foreign policy discourse and responds to bilateral tensions. The findings reveal not only the contrasts in diplomatic rhetoric but also the specific hotspot issues that dominate the dialogue from each side. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of China-U.S. relations, offering insights into the strategic communication used by both countries. Furthermore, the study adds knowledge to the broader field of foreign policy narrative.
ISA seeks to reconnect scholars across these boundaries and invites proposals that work toward a common identity for international studies. The conference seeks to connect scholars across disciplines, theoretical and methodological approaches, and geographic boundaries to facilitate innovative scholarship on common research interests.