Finding the origins of COVID-19: China’s strategic narratives in the pursuit of discourse power

Abstract This article examines how China leverages strategic narratives to exercise discourse power in the international arena. Following the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan in December 2019, China proactively shaped global narratives to advance its national interests, despite World Health Organization’s investigations into the virus’s origins. Text and document analysis show that China systematically changed its messaging from cooperation to contestation. This research advances the understanding of discourse power by identifying the mechanisms through which it is exercised, especially around contentious issues. It also expands the study of COVID-19 by highlighting China’s efforts to shape global narratives rather than focusing on domestic dynamics.