Evolution of Internet Governance in China: Actors and Paradigms

Abstract

China’s Internet governance is not immutable, nor is it dominated by the government, as portrayed by Western scholars. Based on an analysis of Beijing’s Internet governance policies and practices, this paper focuses on the evolution of China’s Internet governance from the non-governmental stage through the government control stage to the multi-actor coordination stage. In terms of governance paradigm, Beijing’s Internet governance is transitioning from one-way management to multi-dimensional governance, from offline management to online and offline integration, and from “prior control” to “panoramic governance.” In terms of governance system, Beijing’s Internet governance has evolved from an ad hoc pattern through problem-solving to a strategic planning paradigm. Internet governance in China has demonstrated three features, namely, pragmatism, state centralism, and preemption. These characteristics have paved the way for the rapid development of China’s Internet but also present many challenges.