China's Internet in the 2000s

This book exposes the ongoing tug of war between the communist party's authoritarian state power and the new networked society in the cyber space, which has been a critical centerpiece in the Chinese authorities' struggle to stay in power. The book examines the history, current situation, distinct technological means and political/legal regulations/restrictions for Internet control, unique characteristics, and the implications of their influences on the political change and social transformation of China. It illuminates the fierce competition between the communist party/authoritarian state and the new networked Chinese society by looking at how Chinese netizens make every possible effort(s) to gain access to the Internet for truth so as to make their voices and views heard. It investigates how the Chinese authorities use whatever possible technological means and political and legal regulations and restrictions to prevent that from happening. Exploring and providing in-depth analyses ofhow this new ‘civil war’ has been affecting and changing China’s political system, the ruling communist ideology, the public’s access to information as well as the expression of the public’s discourse and their opinion, the author considers the impact that this battle will have on the country’s future. It is relevant to policymakers and analysts in both business and government sectors, as well as scholars and research students with an interest in Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, communication, new media, political science, and sociology.
This book studies China’s Internet in the 2000s, with a focus on the challenges and dilemmas of the authorities and the battles between the authorities and the newly networked society in the cyber space, which has been a critical centerpiece in the Chinese authorities' struggle for political stability. The book also examines the distinct technological means and political/legal regulations/restrictions used for Internet control, unique characteristics, and the implications of their influences on the political change and social transformation of the world’s most populous country. It illuminates the fierce competition between the authorities and the newly networked Chinese society by looking at how Chinese netizens make every possible effort to gain access to the Internet for truth and make their voices and views heard, while how the authorities use whatever possible means to prevent that from happening. The in-depth analyses of how these challenges, dilemmas and battles have been affecting and changing China’s political system, the ruling communist ideology, the public’s access to information as well as the expression of the public’s discourse are relevant to policymakers and analysts in both business and government sectors, as well as scholars and researchers with an interest in Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, communication, new media, political science, and sociology.