Linguistic Strategies in Economic Discourse in President Xi Jinping’s International New Year Speeches, 2023-2025

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the linguistic strategies used in the economic discourse of the Chinese leader's international New Year speeches from 2023 to 2025, as published on the website of The State Council the People’s Republic of China. The study selected Chinese-language data, translated it into Thai, and analyzed it using the linguistic strategy framework of Angkapanitchakit (2018). The research findings reveal that the Chinese leader employed two categories of linguistic strategies: 1) semantic strategies, including forms of address, references, verb usage, specialized vocabulary, and statistical data. and 2) pragmatic and discourse strategies, such as presuppositions, speech acts (representatives, directives, commissives, expressives, and declarations), metaphors (both figurative and conceptual), narratives, and intertextuality. The findings show how these linguistic strategies help communicate ideas, emotions, and information to the public effectively. The leader's linguistic power may influence public perception and behavior, while these strategies also embed ideological and economic implications. Furthermore, they demonstrate how economic communication can be designed to shape national image, enhance credibility, and advance China's economic strategies.