Hero vs. The Dragon Emperor: Discursive Struggle Over China's Place in the World

Abstract

The present paper explores some themes presented in the films Hero and The Return of the Dragon Emperor such as China’s place in the world and its future. The concept of Tianxia, meaning “all under heaven”, is introduced as an autochthonous alternative to Western theories of international relations and world order. Moreover, the revival of the concept of Tianxia is linked to other recent developments such as the reinterpretation of China’s history and of its relationship to the West. Finally, the finale’s of the two films are presented as possible outcomes of the discursive struggle over China’s place in the world while at the same time stressing the myriad range of outcomes possible.

Keywords: China, Tianxia, World Order, International Relations