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First Line of Title CITIZENS, GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN CHINA: EVOLVING SOCIO-CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DIMENSIONS by Yingying Zeng A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Affairs and Public Policy Spring 2016 © 2016 Yingying Zeng All Rights Reserved ProQuest Number: 10156537 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ProQuest 10156537 Published by ProQuest LLC ( 2016 ). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346 CITIZENS, GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN CHINA: EVOLVING SOCIO-CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DIMENSIONS by Yingying Zeng Approved: __________________________________________________________ Leland Ware, J.D. Interim Director of the School of Public Policy and Administration Approved: __________________________________________________________ George H. Watson, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Arts and Science Approved: __________________________________________________________ Ann L. Ardis, Ph.D. Senior Vice Provost for Graduate & Professional Education I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ Robert Warren, Ph.D. Professor in charge of dissertation I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ Danilo Yanich, Ph.D. Member of dissertation committee I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ John G. McNutt, Ph.D. Member of dissertation committee I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Signed: __________________________________________________________ Mitchell Moss, Ph.D. Member of dissertation committee ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am deeply indebted to my advisor and chair of dissertation committee, Dr. Robert Warren. His constructive guidance, continuous encouragement and patience have led me over the course of this research. And his great intelligence and charming personality have always inspired me. I really appreciate Dr. Danilo Yanich for guiding me into this wonderful program. I still remember the first conversation we had before entering this school. For both academic studies and project research, he always offered me insightful comments and suggestions whenever I stopped by his office. I would love to thank the other two committee members, Dr. John G. McNutt, and Dr. Mitchell Moss for serving as my committee members. Dr. John G. McNutt’s seminar on social and urban policy has brought many ideas to my proposal. And discussion with him about social media use in volunteering and civic participation has enriched my study as well. I also received excellent suggestions from Dr. Mitchell Moss. I would like to express my gratitude to the School of Public Policy and Administration, the Center for Community Research & Service (CCRS) and the Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research (CADSR) for providing me with funding and research support. Many thanks to Dr. Daniel Rich, Dr. Steven Peuquet and Dr. Edward Ratledge for their support during my PhD study. I am very grateful to my colleagues and friends at the University of Delaware, and elsewhere for their support and encouragement throughout. Special thanks go to the Sisters’ Club Wechat Group and my dear friends Lijuan Zeng, Yan Wei, Chunjing iv Liu, Qiuxi Li, Danning Zhang, Ali Abedini, Abobaker Mused, Paul Ruiz, Dr. Xuan Jiang, Dr. Qinghua Nian, and Dr.YiHsiu Kung. I would especially like to dedicate this manuscript to my family members. Without their love and support, I could have never arrived at this destination. I would like to thank my parents and brother, who always believe in me and give me unconditional love and caring. I would like to thank my husband, Longxi, for standing by me all the time and for taking care of our daughter, Selina, when I need working on my dissertation. My daughter, a source of unending joy and love, has been wonderfully understanding throughout the dissertation process. I would also like to thank my parents- in-law, who have been very helpful to take care of Selina so that I could have additional time to work. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... ix ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................. xii Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK .............................. 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 1 1.2 Literature on Social Media in China ......................................................... 7 1.2.1 State Control and Social Media ..................................................... 7 1.2.2 Citizens Influence and Social Media ............................................. 9 1.2.3 Outside of the Western Focus ...................................................... 11 1.3 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................... 14 1.3.1 Citizen-related Social Media Infrastructure ................................ 15 1.3.1.1 Code Language .............................................................. 15 1.3.1.2 Human Flesh Search Engine ......................................... 16 1.3.1.3 Surrounding Gaze .......................................................... 17 1.3.1.4 Citizen Anti-Control Strategies ..................................... 18 1.3.1.5 Cumulative Effects of Specific Events over Time ........ 19 1.3.2 Technology-related Social Media Infrastructure ......................... 19 1.3.2.1 Time-Space Effects ....................................................... 19 1.3.2.2 Cybersphere and Terrestrial Linkages ........................... 20 1.3.2.3 Technological Changes ................................................. 21 1.4 Research Plan .......................................................................................... 22 1.4.1 Research Methodology and Data .................................................. 22 1.4.2 Research Structure ........................................................................ 24 2 CITIZENS-TO-CITIZENS SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITIES .......................... 26 2.1 Fighting with Immoral Behaviors ........................................................... 27 vi 2.1.1 Kitten Killer Case ........................................................................ 27 2.1.2 Love Affair .................................................................................. 30 2.1.3 Ding Jinhao was here ................................................................... 32 2.2 Providing and Sharing Important Information ........................................ 34 2.2.1 Food Safety .................................................................................. 34 2.2.2 Air Quality ................................................................................... 37 2.2.3 Disasters and Emergencies .......................................................... 42 2.3 Providing Social Good ............................................................................ 48 2.3.1 “Free Lunch for Children” ........................................................... 48 2.3.2 “Taking Pictures to Rescue Missing Children” ........................... 50 3 CITIZENS-TO-PRIVATE SECTORS SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITIES ........ 56 3.1 General Use of Social Media in E-commence ........................................ 60 3.2 Interaction: Netizen-generated Consumer Activities .............................. 63 3.2.1 Consumer Protests ....................................................................... 63 3.2.2 Consumer Boycotts ..................................................................... 70 3.3 Interaction: Bottom-up Labor Activities ................................................. 74 3.3.1 Empowered Migrant Workers ..................................................... 75 3.3.2 Individual Worker Rights Protection ........................................... 81 4 CITIZENS-TO-GOVERNMENTS SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITIES .............. 85 4.1 Behavior and Corruption of Officials ...................................................... 86 4.1.1 Officials’ Behavior ...................................................................... 87 4.1.2 Corruption: Luxury Accessories .................................................
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