WAR Metaphor’s Persistent Prevalence in Chinese Pandemic Coverage

The WAR metaphor pervades public discourse, offering a swift comprehension and eliciting urgency and rapid response. Universally, it emerges as the primary conceptualization for COVID-19 across nations. Nevertheless, certain Western media explore alternative metaphors, wary of potential adverse effects, while Chinese news media steadfastly embrace the WAR metaphor in pandemic coverage. Drawing on Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), this article qualitatively analyzes the phenomenon. Conclusively, the study reveals deep-seated historical, cultural, and social contextual motivations, evident in China's distinct war history, collectivist values, and the pandemic situation. This exploration sheds light on the unique discourse of Chinese media on pandemic response, aiding global understanding and contributing to metaphor in cultural and news discourse research