The aim of the study is to analyze the political cartoons and graphics created by Hong Kong cartoonists and artists exploring the unique ‘one country, two systems’ governance system in Hong Kong.

Political cartoons and graphics by Hong Kong cartoonists.

Firstly, a critical multimodal discourse analysis on political cartoons and graphics on Hong Kong governance system. I‌‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍would like to prepare a 5-page PhD research proposal and this is my research idea. So, the aim of the study is to analyse the political cartoons and graphics by Hong Kong cartoonists and artists exploring the unique ‘one country, two systems’ governance system in Hong Kong. I would like to delve into the linguistic features and rhetorical strategies applied by these cartoonists and artists. By analyzing the artworks, you will understand the ideology and identity of Hongkongers, as well as the meanings they are trying to convey. To understand the references, a multimodal analysis will be conducted. In addition, analyze the texts in the cartoons to explore how the Hong Kong political situation will be evaluated.

Political cartoons and graphics by Hong Kong cartoonists.

Proposed methodology: Images and cartoons from traditional news media (including pro-China government and pro-democracy press). And other newly established digital press (such as Hong Kong Free Press) from the two main social media channels (Facebook and Twitter) will be collected. Collect any images from these social media platforms with the hashtags ‘#OneCountryTwoSystems’ and ‘#Hongkongers’  for analysis. To limit the range of materials, the cartoons and graphics will be collected according to themes related to the core values of Ho‌‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍ng Kong (freedom, justice, independence, human rights, etc.) and timeframe. Such as a year either side of the launch of the National Security Law in Hong Kong.

Political cartoons and graphics by Hong Kong cartoonists.

Analysis of the graphics could identify how the ideology and patterns of ‘one country, two systems’ are. What the system is symbolizing in the current Hong Kong society. In addition, the research will discuss how linguistic strategies and visual elements that express views.

Additional Files