Chinese Internet Events

Internet events refer to public events where large numbers of citizens participate in often unorganized, autonomous online efforts to express their sentiments and opinions, address collective needs, or influence public opinion and policy. In an authoritarian country of 420 million Internet users and 200 million bloggers, Internet events occur often and have the potential to rally public opinion, pressure government, and reshape China’s public life. The article outlines the major actors (who), issues (what), causes (why), places (where), and mobilization (how) of Chinese Internet events