News and Wires: Sino-European Media Relations during the Cold War (1954-1991)

This book offers a pioneering historical investigation into news agencies and media statecraft in Sino-European relations during the Cold War (1954–1991). Examining the evolving ties between China's Xinhua and major European agencies—Reuters, AFP, and ANSA—it demonstrates how media dynamics shaped Sino-European ties across distinct historical phases. Adopting an integrative approach that bridges media history, Cold War studies, and Chinese studies, the monograph analyses agency-level interactions, news exchange protocols, correspondent work, and editorial directives—and their broader implications. By combining Chinese and European sources, it uncovers the hidden diplomatic role of international wire services beyond state propaganda, revealing how they functioned as pivotal channels for informal diplomacy. Key features and benefits of this study include addressing a critical gap in Sino-European media history, offering a multi-archival perspective, and providing crucial historical context for understanding contemporary debates about global news. Written for an academic readership, this volume is intended for advanced undergraduates, postgraduate scholars, and researchers in International History, Cold War Studies, Chinese and Asian Studies, and Media History who seek fresh insights into the intersection of media, propaganda, Chinese foreign relations, and international relations.