A Study on the Metaphorical Construction Mechanism in China's Climate Governance Discourse

Abstract

This paper integrates Conceptual Metaphor Theory with Critical Discourse Analysis to systematically examine the use of metaphors
in four types of Chinese climate governance texts to reveal the logical system and functional mechanisms of their metaphorical construction.
The study finds that Chinese climate governance texts employ six core metaphor types: COMMUNITY, JOURNEY, WAR, CONTAINER,
ECONOMY, and DEFENSE. These metaphors collectively construct a progressive logical framework of "cognitive constructionvalue
transmissionaction mobilization". At the cognitive level, climate change is defined as a common challenge threatening the human community and Earth. At the value level, ecological concepts such as harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, synergy between
environmental protection and economic development, and equal emphasis on adaptation and mitigation are conveyed. At the action level, a
quadrilateral action system of "goalspathwaysmotivationsafeguards" is formed. These metaphors not only concretize strategic content
and enhance public acceptance domestically but also communicate China's ecological values of "multilateral cooperation, green development,
responsibility, and proactive adaptation" internationally, providing a discourse paradigm with Chinese cultural characteristics for global climate governance.