The Europe in two billion eyes: Images from Chinese television

Mass media, in general, and television, in particular (as one of the most accessible and frequently used means of mass communication), reflect to a certain extent feelings and images that exist within a given society and remodel perceptions. This article presents to the readers an interesting analysis of the influence of Chinese television on the way the EU and Europeans are seen in China. It draws the ‘portrait of Europe’ by examining two types of Chinese drama series: series about transnational families featuring interaction between Chinese and non-Chinese cultures; and series about Chinese immigrants or tourists in Europe, showing the Chinese perception of the European lifestyle. It looks into the interactions between the characters featured in the series and the environment they are put in so as to examine the image of Europe that is being conveyed to the Chinese public.