La promozione dell’identità nazionale cinese in ambito sanitario: il potere discorsivo del Medical Chinese Test

The institution of the Medical Chinese Test (MCT) on December 15, 2019, set a significant milestone in evaluating proficiency in medical Chinese among international medical students and practitioners. Situated within the broader context of recent accomplishments in Chinese healthcare domain, such as Tu Youyou’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the allegedly effective management of Covid-19, and the recent accreditation of Chinese medical education programs by the World Federation for Medical Education, the MCT is portrayed as an integral element of China’s healthcare achievements. However, the MCT’s complex nature poses challenges to widespread accessibility, as evidenced by the presence of only thirty testing centers globally, with merely five located outside Asia. Building on a critical examination of the official documents and the media narratives surrounding the introduction of the MCT, this paper examines the rhetorical process employed by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China in implementing the MCT, exploring its role in internationalizing Chinese research, language, and culture, and shaping a positive national identity. The establishment of the MCT is thus framed within broader sociopolitical objectives aimed at maintaining political leadership, asserting China’s global influence, and adhering to international standards in development and scientific research, thereby enhancing the country’s prestige and international recognition.