China Benteng: A Refutation of Ethnic Chinese Exclusivity in Indonesia

(A Critical Discourse Analysis of YouTube Content 'The Story')

Authors

  • Naufal Fallah Ilham Magister Ilmu Komunikasi, Universitas Lampung, 35144, Indonesia
  • Tina Kartika Magister Ilmu Komunikasi, Universitas Lampung, 35144, Indonesia
  • Andy Corry Wardhani Magister Ilmu Komunikasi, Universitas Lampung, 35144, Indonesia
  • Andri Juansya Magister Ekonomi Islam, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga, 55281, Indonesia
  • Andi Amri Department of Business Administration, Asia University, 41354, Taiwan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12928/commicast.v6i1.13173

Keywords:

China Benteng, Chinese Ethnicity, Critical Discourse Analysis , Teun A. Van Dijk

Abstract

This study investigates the representation of the Chinese ethnic minority, particularly the Benteng Chinese community in Tangerang, as portrayed in the documentary film China Benteng: Dari Waktu ke Waktu, aired on the YouTube channel The Story. Employing Teun A. van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis framework, the research analyzes three interrelated dimensions: text structure, social cognition, and social context. The findings reveal that the documentary challenges entrenched stereotypes about the Chinese-Indonesian community, particularly assumptions of economic uniformity and cultural isolation, by emphasizing socioeconomic diversity and cultural assimilation. At the macrostructural level, the film highlights the simplicity of the Benteng Chinese lifestyle and their long-standing integration with local communities. Through its superstructure and micro-level elements, the documentary employs visual and verbal narratives to underscore the active participation of the Benteng Chinese in broader Indonesian social life. The social context dimension illustrates an effort to counter dominant narratives and empower marginalized voices. Meanwhile, the producer’s social cognition appears deliberately neutral, allowing the community to articulate their own narratives authentically. This study contributes to the growing body of research on media representation and ethnic discourse by providing a nuanced analysis of how documentary filmmaking can act as a counter-discursive tool. It enriches the understanding of ethnic minority portrayals in Indonesian media, and underscores the documentary genre’s potential to facilitate intercultural dialogue, challenge dominant ideologies, and expand the representational space for historically marginalized groups.

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Published

2025-03-31

How to Cite

Fallah Ilham, N., Kartika, T. K., Corry Wardhani, A., Juansya, A., & Amri, A. (2025). China Benteng: A Refutation of Ethnic Chinese Exclusivity in Indonesia : (A Critical Discourse Analysis of YouTube Content ’The Story’). COMMICAST, 6(1), 147–158. https://doi.org/10.12928/commicast.v6i1.13173

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Vol. 6 No. 1 (2025): March

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Copyright (c) 2025 Naufal Fallah Ilham, Tina Kartika, Andy Corry Wardhani, Andri Juansya, Andi Amri

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