Title: The Study of the Metaphorical Use of “Road” in Xi Jinping’s Keynote Speech at The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation from the Perspective of Rhetoric

Abstract: Metaphor is not only a form of rhetoric, but also an art of persuasion. This essay focuses on the “road” metaphor in Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the opening ceremony of The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and finds that the metaphor of “road” is not only pervasive, but also becomes the macro structure of the whole speech with rich embodiments and connotations. Xi Jinping uses “road” and its related metaphors to persuade people effectively with character, emotion, and reasoning. He vividly demonstrates the historical background and realistic achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative, and calls on the participating countries to take a firm step towards better development.

Keywords: the Belt and Road Initiative, metaphor, road, political speech, rhetoric

Authors: Xiao Liu, Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China; Chao Shi, MA Candidate, College of Arts and Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China.