Continuing our experiments with using LLMs to summarize global media coverage, let's use the final workflow that yielded the best results for us and explore what it would look like to generate a daily report of global media tenor towards and portrayal of China.

First, we'll use the GKG and extract a random sample of 500 articles mentioning the English words "China/Chinese/Beijing" in the title that are not from websites ending in ".cn":

CREATE TEMPORARY FUNCTION titleunescape(title STRING) RETURNS STRING LANGUAGE js AS '''
  return title.replace(/()([a-zA-Z0-9]+)(;)/gu, function (whole, capture1, capture2) {
    return String.fromCodePoint(parseInt(capture2, 16))
  });
''';

select titleunescaped as articletitle from (
SELECT
  titleunescape( REGEXP_EXTRACT(Extras, r'(.*?)<\/PAGE_TITLE>') ) titleunescaped
 FROM `gdelt-bq.gdeltv2.gkg_partitioned` WHERE
  (Extras like '%China%' OR Extras like '%Chinese%' OR Extras like '%Beijing%')
  and DocumentIdentifier not like '%.cn/%'
  and TranslationInfo is null
  AND TIMESTAMP_TRUNC(_PARTITIONTIME, DAY) = TIMESTAMP("2023-09-23")
) group by titleunescaped order by rand() limit 500

Then we'll use the following prompt with Anthropic's Claude 2:

You are a public relations analyst. Your job is to summarize how the world's media is portraying China, focusing on the tone and portrayal of that coverage. Using the news article headlines below, write in English a per-country summary of the portrayal of China in coverage mentioning that country. For each country, format your response like:

Country Name: name of country
Tone towards China: the overall tone of coverage mentioning that county towards China
Explanation of Tone: explain how you determined the tone
Portrayal of China: the overall portrayal of China (specify specific adjectives and keywords) of coverage mentioning that county towards China
Explanation of Portrayal: explain how you determined the portrayal
China Strength: whether China is portrayed as being strong or weak in coverage mentioning that county towards China
Explanation of China Strength: explain how you determined the strength

HEADLINES:

You can see the day-by-day results below:

September 20, 2023

Here is a summary of the media portrayal of China by country based on the provided headlines:

United States:
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: Headlines emphasize accusations of Chinese hacking, espionage, and intimidation. China is portrayed as a threat.
Portrayal of China: Aggressive, assertive, threatening
Explanation of Portrayal: Headlines accuse China of hacking, conflict with Taiwan, and intimidation.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: China is described as assertive and aggressive against the US and its interests.

Japan:
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: Headlines focus on China's military actions near disputed islands and weakening exports to China.
Portrayal of China: Assertive, threatening
Explanation of Portrayal: Emphasis on China's military maneuvers near Taiwan and installations on disputed reefs.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: China's actions near disputed territories are portrayed as threatening.

India:
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: Headlines portray China as a strategic concern and threat to India.
Portrayal of China: Assertive, threatening
Explanation of Portrayal: China is described as a strategic concern and threat to India.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: China is portrayed as assertive and threatening against India's interests.

Taiwan:
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: Headlines focus on potential Chinese blockade and military actions near Taiwan.
Portrayal of China: Aggressive, threatening
Explanation of Portrayal: Emphasis on potential blockade of Taiwan and increasing military maneuvers.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: China's actions are described as aggressive and the blockade as a "monster risk."

Indonesia:
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: Headlines portray local opposition to Chinese factory plans.
Portrayal of China: Imposing
Explanation of Portrayal: Headlines depict local indigenous opposition to Chinese factory plans.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: China is shown imposing development plans on Indonesian islands.

Thailand:
Tone towards China: Cautious
Explanation of Tone: Headlines express concern over tourism recovery and illegal tour operations.
Portrayal of China: Potentially problematic
Explanation of Portrayal: Concerns noted about tourism recovery and illegal tour operations.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: China's return is crucial for tourism recovery though problematic.

In summary, the media tone and portrayal of China is overwhelmingly negative across the US, Japan, India, Taiwan and Indonesia. China is depicted as aggressive, assertive and threatening against the interests of these countries. The strength of China is acknowledged even as actions are portrayed as concerning and problematic. Thailand has a more cautious tone on China's tourism impact.

September 21, 2023

Here are the per-country summaries of China's portrayal in media coverage mentioning select countries:

India:
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: Headlines mention supply chains shifting away from China and India winning a manufacturing battle against China, portraying China as losing economic competitiveness.

Portrayal of China: Weakening, losing influence
Explanation of Portrayal: Headlines describe supply chains leaving China for India, indicating China is weakening as a manufacturing power relative to India.

China Strength: Weak
Explanation of China Strength: The headlines portray China as weakening in manufacturing competitiveness and economic influence compared to India.

Japan:
Tone towards China: Neutral
Explanation of Tone: The headlines are factual and neutral in tone, simply mentioning China-Japan relations and a potential leaders summit.

Portrayal of China: Regional power
Explanation of Portrayal: The headlines portray China as a regional power engaged in diplomacy with its neighbor Japan.

China Strength: Neutral
Explanation of China Strength: There is no clear portrayal of China's strength or weakness.

Indonesia:
Tone towards China: Positive
Explanation of Tone: Headlines emphasize cooperation between China and Indonesia on clean energy and describe China as a "steadfast ally."

Portrayal of China: Partner, ally
Explanation of Portrayal: China is portrayed as a close partner and ally to Indonesia through energy cooperation and assistance.

China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: China is shown as a strong ally and supporter of Indonesia.

Taiwan:
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: Headlines mention Chinese military activity near Taiwan, portraying China as a military threat.

Portrayal of China: Belligerent, threatening
Explanation of Portrayal: China is portrayed as aggressive and threatening to Taiwan through military actions.

China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: The military activity demonstrates China's strength and assertiveness towards Taiwan.

Germany:
Tone towards China: Wary
Explanation of Tone: Headlines describe restricting Chinese technology and investments, indicating wariness about economic ties with China.

Portrayal of China: Economic competitor
Explanation of Portrayal: China is portrayed primarily as an economic competitor to Germany.

China Strength: Neutral
Explanation of China Strength: There are no clear signals of strength or weakness relative to Germany.

In summary, the media coverage depicts China negatively in relation to India and Taiwan, while portraying strengthened ties with Indonesia. Coverage of relations with Japan and Germany is more neutral. Overall China is shown as an advancing economic and military power in the region, albeit facing some backlash.

September 22, 2023

Here is a summary of the media portrayal of China for each country mentioned in the headlines, formatted as requested:

India:
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: Headlines portray China denying visas to Indian athletes from Arunachal Pradesh and India cancelling minister's trip to China in protest. Indicates tensions between the countries.
Portrayal of China: Authoritarian, discriminatory
Explanation of Portrayal: China is portrayed as denying visas to Indian athletes and India accuses China of discrimination. Indicates China is acting unfairly.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: Headlines portray China as able to exert control over entry to sporting event in its territory. Indicates China has power in the relationship.

Japan:
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: US ambassador criticizes China's ban on Japanese seafood imports, indicating tensions.
Portrayal of China: Coercive
Explanation of Portrayal: China's seafood import ban is described as "economic coercion", portraying China as coercive in trade relations.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: China is able to economically coerce Japan, indicating strength.

Syria:
Tone towards China: Positive
Explanation of Tone: Headlines focus on China and Syria announcing a strategic partnership and cooperation. Indicates friendly relations.
Portrayal of China: Supportive, helpful
Explanation of Portrayal: China offers to help rebuild Syria, portraying China as supportive.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: China is able to provide economic and diplomatic support to Syria, indicating strength.

United States:
Tone towards China: Cautious, suspicious
Explanation of Tone: Headlines focus on US actions to counter China such as new submarine program, restrictions on chip funding. Indicates mistrust.
Portrayal of China: Adversarial, threat
Explanation of Portrayal: China is described as a threat the US is attempting to counter, portraying China as an adversary.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: The US feels the need to actively counter China, indicating China is seen as strong.

Philippines:
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: Philippines weighing legal action against China over reef destruction indicates tensions.
Portrayal of China: Destructive
Explanation of Portrayal: China is accused of destroying coral reefs, portraying China as environmentally destructive.
China Strength: Strong
Explanation of China Strength: China is able to take actions potentially damaging to Philippines environment, indicating strength.

Let me know if you would like me to summarize the portrayal for any other countries mentioned in the headlines.

September 23, 2023

Here is a per-country summary of the portrayal of China in the headlines:

Country: United States
Tone towards China: Negative
Explanation of Tone: Headlines mention sanctions, tensions, and conflicts with China. Words like "threat", "challenge", and "irk" indicate a negative tone.
Portrayal of China: Adversarial, threatening, coercive
Explanation of Portrayal: China is portrayed as an adversary that is threatening, preparing for conflict and war, coercing other countries economically. Words like "existential threat", "abnormal", and "decoupling" portray China negatively.
China Strength: Strong militarily, economically coercive
Explanation of China Strength: Headlines mention China's military strength, ships, drills, and nuclear capabilities. But also describe economic coercion and imbalances in trade.

Country: Taiwan
Tone towards China: Wary, concerned
Explanation of Tone: Headlines use words like "wary", "concerns", "abnormal" to describe Taiwan's view of China's military activities.
Portrayal of China: Aggressive, coercive
Explanation of Portrayal: China is portrayed as aggressively increasing military activities and drills around Taiwan. Words like "threat" and "getting out of hand" indicate coercion.
China Strength: Strong militarily
Explanation of China Strength: Headlines emphasize China's military strength through words like "drills", "activities", and "capabilities".

Country: India
Tone towards China: Critical, tense
Explanation of Tone: Headlines use words like "row", "rebukes", and "blasts" to describe India's reactions to China over visa denials. Indicates a critical, tense tone.
Portrayal of China: Coercive, adversarial
Explanation of Portrayal: China is portrayed as coercive by denying visas and as an adversary on the border issue. Words like "evil designs" characterize China negatively.
China Strength: Strong position on border dispute
Explanation of China Strength: Headlines suggest China has leverage in the border dispute by denying visas. Indicates a strong position.

Country: Japan
Tone towards China: Critical
Explanation of Tone: The US ambassador criticizes China's ban on Japanese seafood, indicating a critical tone.
Portrayal of China: Coercive
Explanation of Portrayal: The seafood ban is described as "economic coercion", portraying China as coercive in trade.
China Strength: Economically coercive
Explanation of China Strength: The headlines emphasize China's ability to economically coerce Japan through trade restrictions like bans.

Country: Philippines
Tone towards China: Accusatory, critical
Explanation of Tone: The Philippines accuses China of destruction and hypocrisy, showing a critical, accusatory tone.
Portrayal of China: Destructive, hypocritical
Explanation of Portrayal: China is portrayed as destructive of coral reefs and hypocritical in its remarks on the dispute.
China Strength: Aggressive position in maritime dispute
Explanation of China Strength: Headlines indicate China has an aggressive position in the South China Sea dispute through its actions and remarks.

Country: Vietnam
Tone towards China: Cautious
Explanation of Tone: Headlines describe talks with the US on arms deals that "could irk China", indicating Vietnam is cautious about China's reaction.
Portrayal of China: Sensitive to containment
Explanation of Portrayal: Vietnam is portrayed as seeking arms but cautious of China's response to containment efforts.
China Strength: Regional influence
Explanation of China Strength: The potential for China to be irked by Vietnam arms deals highlights its regional influence.

Country: EU
Tone towards China: Cautious, balanced
Explanation of Tone: EU seeks to balance ties with China even as it tries to protect itself. Indicates a cautious, balanced tone.
Portrayal of China: Influential trade partner
Explanation of Portrayal: Headlines emphasize trade balances and partnerships, portraying China as an important economic partner.
China Strength: Leading trade partner
Explanation of China Strength: The EU tone highlights China's strength as a major trading partner that can't be decoupled from.

Country: Nepal
Tone towards China: Friendly, cooperative
Explanation of Tone: Headlines use positive words like "boost", "support" and "cooperation" to describe meetings between Nepalese and Chinese leaders.
Portrayal of China: Helpful, cooperative
Explanation of Portrayal: China is portrayed as seeking to boost ties and cooperate with Nepal on infrastructure and other projects.
China Strength: Economic aid and investment
Explanation of China Strength: Headlines reflect China's strength in providing investment, infrastructure and aid to Nepal.

Country: Syria
Tone towards China: Positive, friendly
Explanation of Tone: Leaders jointly announce a strategic partnership and Xi offers support, indicating a very positive tone.
Portrayal of China: Supportive ally
Explanation of Portrayal: China is portrayed as an ally offering economic and political support to Syria. Words like "partnership" and "reconstruct" characterize this.
China Strength: Major political and economic ally
Explanation of China Strength: The strategic partnership and reconstruction aid reflect China's strength as a key ally.