The openMovements series invites leading social scientists to share their research results and perspectives on contemporary social struggles.
Rui Hou. Internet surveillance software screen. All rights reserved.
Over the past decade, the influence of the Internet in China has rapidly expanded. A recent report released by China Internet Network information Center shows that the number of Chinese Internet users in 2018 has reached 800 million (60% of China’s population), which is larger than the population of the whole of Europe. The report highlights that more than 70% of Chinese netizens use the Internet for shopping and entertainment. However, another number also deserves our attention: more than 50% of Chinese netizens use Internet to get access to government services. In this sense, the Internet not only impacts the economy of contemporary Chinese society, it also shapes the political life of today’s Chinese people.
