International Forum  Vol. 22, No. 5, Sep., 2020

【Abstract】Since the COVID-19 epidemic first broke out in China, the West has engaged in a massive stigmatization drive against China. As the epidemic struck more and more countries across the world, stigmatizing China has evolved from moral criticism to political attacks, featuring diverse subjects of stigmatization, politicized motivations, and complex stigmatizing contents. Taking advantage of their cultural and discourse power, some western countries, led by the US, have used stigmatization to paint China as the“culprit”of the pandemic, in order to win support at home and abroad to advance their political goal of containing China. Given the uncertainty arising from the pandemic, the drive to stigmatize China has had serious destructive impacts: more and more people of Asian origin in other parts of the world have become targets of racist attacks, Sino-US relations have come under great strain, and China faces a far harsher external environment. In response, China should, based on an understanding of stigma-diffusion mechanisms, take calibrated measures to enhance its ability and resilience in dealingwith the publicity crisis. In making its de-stigmatization moves, China should adhere to the principles of compassion, just cause, efficacy, and proper restraint, and act in a way befitting its role as a responsible great power and true to its humanistic character.

【Key Words】COVID-19 pandemic, stigma and stigmatization, Western public opinion toward China, international publicity environment, coping strategy