Digital Citizenship in Contemporary Governance: Insights from Chinese Modern State-Building

Join us for this a training event, organized jointly by Civil Society, Democracy and Development Pathway and Advanced Data Analytics. In this lecture, Professor Guo explores the evolving concept of digital citizenship within the context of China’s dynamic political landscape. In particular, Professor Guo analyses how digital technologies are reshaping notions of citizenship and governance in China, highlighting the interplay between state-building efforts and digital advancements.

Since China’s reform era, the influx of foreigners has been steadily increasing, with official statistics of 800,000 by 2020. Thus, “Regulations of the P.R.C. on the Administration of Permanent Residency of Foreigners” was proposed in February 2020 to streamline the permanent residency process. However, unexpectedly, the borders were erected in China’s cyberspace, as the proposed policy was met with significant social opposition from Chinese citizens, whom conventional wisdoms found politically passive towards major legislations proposed by the central government. The persistent opposition led to the suspension of the proposed regulations in May 2020, a rare victory for citizens in China. Utilizing data from social media platforms and through in-depth interviews, this talk analyses the Chinese digital citizenship and investigates the multifaceted nature of Chinese citizens’ views on foreigners’ citizenship rights from perspectives of political and cultural citizenship.

Professor Guo will delve into the ways in which the Chinese government integrates digital tools to enhance administrative efficiency, monitor and influence public behaviour, and redefine citizen-state interactions. The discussion will also address the implications of these developments for political conceptions and the broader global discourse on digital citizenship. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how contemporary Chinese governance adapts to and leverages digitalization, offering valuable insights into the intersection of technology and statecraft in one of the world’s most influential nations.

The event will be followed by a networking lunch for the PGRs in the two pathways. The times are as follows:

13.30 -13.40 Registration & welcome from pathway directors Dr. Roxana Barbulescu and Dr. Alvaro Martinez Perez

13.40-14.10 Talk by Professor Zhonghua Guo

14.10-15.00 Discussion & Q&A

15.00-15.15 Coffee, tea & sandwiches

15.15-16.00 Networking session with PGRs from the two pathways

Zhonghua Guo is Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics, Nanjing University, China. His academic interests include citizenship studies, conceptual studies, and state theories. He has published widely in the field of citizenship studies, including, as a guest editor, editing five volumes of special issues of Citizenship Studies, Journal of Chinese Political Science, and Journal of Chinese Governance. He was also the sole editor of The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Citizenship, published in 2022.

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