Constructing City Image on Overseas Video Platforms: A Case Study of Lianyungang Videos on YouTube

In the context of global digital communication, city image has become an integral component of national image construction. This study focuses on videos related to Lianyungang city on the YouTube platform and employs a combination of textual analysis and comment keyword analysis to systematically investigate the dissemination of city image. The analytical framework is structured around three dimensions: digital spatial representation, cultural expression, and emotional interaction, examining the interplay between visual narrative strategies, symbol selection, and audience engagement. The findings indicate that city image dissemination is characterized by multi-stakeholder participation, dynamic generation, and a competitive process of meaning-making. This study provides theoretical insights and practical implications for evaluating and optimizing the international communication of Chinese city images in the digital platform environment.