State, power and mobile communication: a case study of China

Article

Lu, Jia and Weber, Ian. 2007. "State, power and mobile communication: a case study of China." New Media and Society. 9 (6), pp. 925-944. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444807082640
Article Title

State, power and mobile communication: a case study of China

ERA Journal ID9244
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsLu, Jia (Author) and Weber, Ian (Author)
Journal TitleNew Media and Society
Journal Citation9 (6), pp. 925-944
Number of Pages20
Year2007
Place of PublicationLondon, United Kingdom
ISSN1461-4448
1461-7315
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444807082640
Abstract

China's telecommunications and information industry has seen unprecedented growth since the turn of the century, with the mobile telephony sector driving significant expansion. This article examines the Chinese government's strategy for managing the complexities of socio-economic changes created by the widespread adoption of mobile telephony.The study found that the government's adoption of subtler forms of power establishes a relational contract with Chinese telecommunications and information industry partners and citizenry as a foundation for implementing the strategy of controlled commodification. This contract acts to modify and clarify operational boundaries within private and public spheres in an attempt to manage often competing economic, social and political objectives.

KeywordsChina; commodification; control; mobile telecommunications; telephony
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020440701. Communications and media policy
460608. Mobile computing
441004. Social change
Public Notes

Copyright © 2007 SAGE Publications. Published version deposited in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

Byline AffiliationsTexas A&M University, United States
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9zxvq/state-power-and-mobile-communication-a-case-study-of-china

Log in to edit
  • 1883
    total views
  • 10
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Technology adoption and content consumption in Chinese television: local city, national city, global city
Lu, Jia and Weber, Ian. 2013. "Technology adoption and content consumption in Chinese television: local city, national city, global city." Telematics and Informatics. 30 (4), pp. 393-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2011.02.003
E = mPortfolios 2? Challenges and opportunities in creating mobile electronic portfolio systems for lifelong learning
Weber, Ian and Evans, Peter. 2011. "E = mPortfolios 2? Challenges and opportunities in creating mobile electronic portfolio systems for lifelong learning ." International Journal of Web Portals. 3 (2), pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.4018/jwp.2011040101
Internet and self-regulation in China: the cultural logic of controlled commodification
Weber, Ian and Lu, Jia. 2010. "Internet and self-regulation in China: the cultural logic of controlled commodification." O'donnell, Mike (ed.) Structure and agency. London, United Kingdom. SAGE Publications Ltd. pp. 29-46
Mobile, online, and angry: the rise of China's middle-class civil society?
Weber, Ian. 2011. "Mobile, online, and angry: the rise of China's middle-class civil society?" Critical Arts: a south-north journal of cultural and media studies. 25 (1), pp. 25-45. https://doi.org/10.1080/02560046.2011.552204
Negotiating identity: experiences of 'visiting home' among Chinese Americans
Maruyama, Naho U., Weber, Ian and Stronza, Amanda L.. 2010. "Negotiating identity: experiences of 'visiting home' among Chinese Americans." Tourism, Culture and Communication. 10 (1), pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3727/109830410X12629765735551
Internet software piracy in China: a user analysis of resistance to global software copyright enforcement
Lu, Jia and Weber, Ian. 2009. "Internet software piracy in China: a user analysis of resistance to global software copyright enforcement." Journal of International and Intercultural Communication. 2 (4), pp. 298-317. https://doi.org/10.1080/17513050903177300
Commodifying digital television in China: a socio-linguistic analysis of media discourse, technology deployment and control
Weber, Ian. 2010. "Commodifying digital television in China: a socio-linguistic analysis of media discourse, technology deployment and control." New Media and Society. 12 (2), pp. 289-308. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444809341442
Chinese government and software copyright: manipulating the boundaries between public and private
Lu, Jia and Weber, Ian. 2008. "Chinese government and software copyright: manipulating the boundaries between public and private ." International Journal of Communication. 2, pp. 81-99.
Internet and self-regulation in China: the cultural logic of controlled commodification
Weber, Ian and Lu, Jia. 2007. "Internet and self-regulation in China: the cultural logic of controlled commodification." Media Culture and Society. 29 (5), pp. 772-789. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443707080536
Digitizing the dragon: challenges facing China's television industry
Weber, Ian. 2005. "Digitizing the dragon: challenges facing China's television industry." New Media and Society. 7 (6), pp. 793-808. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444805058162
In search of the total learning experience (TLE): a case study of Singapore's e-inclusive society
Lim, Eric T. K. and Weber, Ian. 2004. "In search of the total learning experience (TLE): a case study of Singapore's e-inclusive society." Journal of Information and Knowledge Management. 3 (3), pp. 233-243. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219649204000857
Localizing the global: successful strategies for selling television programs to China
Weber, Ian. 2003. "Localizing the global: successful strategies for selling television programs to China." International Communication Gazette. 65 (3), pp. 273-290. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016549203065003004
Patriotism and the limits of globalization: the renegotiation of citizenship in Singapore
Kluver, Randolph and Weber, Ian. 2003. "Patriotism and the limits of globalization: the renegotiation of citizenship in Singapore." Journal of Communication Inquiry. 27 (4), pp. 371-388. https://doi.org/10.1177/0196859903255779