全球化時代，國家形象在國際關係中的重要性表現在影響國家的政治、經濟、外交等政策制定，並且成為國家之間互動關係的關鍵因素。自中國實行改革開放以來，尤其是九○年代後期開始，經濟快速增長與整體國力提升，在國際事務領域逐漸發揮其影響力。但中國崛起似乎包含著令外界擔憂的成分，學者們發現國際社會對中國國家形象的認知與中國對自身形象的認知存在很大的差異性；同時也意識到中國的形象問題對於國家經濟的永續發展，以及國家在國際交往中的重要性。因此，國家形象的探索成為中國學界的研究熱點。回顧近十年中國學界的研究現況，大量文獻屬於應用面的研究，集中討論國家形象與軟權力的關係，以及關注國家形象在中國外交戰略中的功用。這雖然為建構負責任大國形象提供了政策建議，但顯著的不足是缺乏理論建構。事實上，建構主義理論與國家形象存在明顯邏輯關係，能有效地從國家形象的本質與內涵、形象建構的過程、形象轉變的動能以及認知衝突的根源，進行較系統、完整的分析。建構主義為國家形象提供理論建構的可能性。

With the advent of globalization, national images which affect political, economic and diplomatic policy-making and the interaction between nations become vital in the area of international relation. China’s rapidly economic growth since late 1990s has largely increased its influence in regional and worldwide affairs. The significant uprising of China seems to pose the most formidable danger to the international society. China scholars are aware of the conspicuous divergence of national image regarding China, and they also realize that the positive national image associated with China can help to implement sustainable development in economy and then increase its influence in international society. Therefore, national image research has become a burgeoning academic field in China. Based on the literature review, I found that prior research has given much attention to discussion of image relation and soft power as well as the influence of the image on policy-making in foreign strategies. Yet, previous studies fail to establish models in explaining national images. Constructivism could be an appropriate approach to guide research regarding national images. In particular, constructivism could systematically expound the essence of national image, the process of molding national images, the motive power of image shift, and the cause of cognitive conflicts. Constructivism provides the possibility of theory building.