Battling Over Social Media: Public Protest and State Responses concerning Dr Li Wenliang’s Death in China

Lai, Hongyi

Abstract

This article conducts a case study regarding the reactions by the public and the state on the internet to the death of Dr Li Wenliang, a whistleblower revealing the Covid-19 outbreak in China. It addresses the ongoing debate in the literature regarding the role of the internet in the society-state interaction in China. Through this case study, the study argues that the society-state interaction over the internet is far more dynamic and complex than what has been acknowledged in the existing literature. This is so despite the ending of this interaction seemingly lends substantial support to the pessimistic and minority view that the autocratic state retains its capability and resilience in managing the internet. The internet could help rally waves of public outpours and protests. In response, the state could broadcast its tactical concessions on the internet to ease widespread public anger. However, through extensive news messages on social media, the state could still portray its overall epidemic control as highly effective and could thus claim political credits and legitimacy for governance.

Citation

Lai, H. (2021). Battling Over Social Media: Public Protest and State Responses concerning Dr Li Wenliang’s Death in China. East Asian Policy, 13(2), 36-48. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793930521000118

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 4, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jul 26, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Deposit Date: May 5, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 1, 2022
• Journal: East Asian Policy
• Print ISSN: 1793-9305
• Electronic ISSN: 2251-3175
• Publisher: National University of Singapore, East Asian Institute
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 36-48
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793930521000118
• Keywords: protests, internet, social media, China, Covid-19, press freedom
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5511025
• Publisher URL: https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S1793930521000118
• Additional Information: Electronic version of an article published as Battling over Social Media: Public Protest and State Responses to Dr Li Wenliang’s Death in China; Hongyi LAI; East Asian Policy 2021 13:02, 36-48 https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793930521000118 © copyright World Scientific Publishing Company https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscinet/eap