Internet and Politics in China

By Séverine Arsène (Sciences Po Paris).

Venue: Room Segalen, 25/F, Admiralty Centre, Tower 2, 18 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong.

On Chinese blogs, microblogs and social media, 538 million people have fun, seek information and sometimes talk politics. They express indignation about migrant workers' situation, denounce land grabs and even criticize the corruption of the leadership. Despite censorship, the Internet has profoundly transformed the relation between the State and citizens. Based on examples of online mobilizations and my own fieldwork and interviews in China, I will explore the political consequences of the emergence of an online public opinion, as well as its limits and ambiguities.

Séverine Arsène holds a Ph.D in political science from Sciences Po Paris. Her research focuses on Internet governance and the use of social media in China. Previously Yahoo! Fellow at Georgetown University, she is now a member of the Laboratoire Communication et Politique (CNRS) in Paris. Her book, "Internet et politique en Chine", was published by Karthala, Paris, in 2011.

This seminar will be held in English.

Sebastian Veg, Director of the CEFC, will chair the session.
Snacks and drinks will be served after the seminar.

Seats are limited. Please confirm your attendance.