Doubling the voice: what can be learned from observing public social critique in China

Policy Brief on Chinese society - SWPS University deliverable for Year 3 of WP2 "Society and Culture" of the research project China Horizons - Dealing with a Resurgent China (DWARC), Horizon Europe research grant number 101061700. In this Policy Brief the authors discuss patterns of social critique in the P.R.C. in online social media discourse, in art and culture, and among professional and expert circles. Special attention is drawn towards the "double identities" (voicing views in line with the official discourse when in office, and holding views critical of the state and its policies when speaking in private) of public persons and social actors in the P.R.C. The Policy Brief contains recommendation for the EU on how to successfully communicate with political and social elites within China, and the Chinese diaspora in Europe. The authors propose acknowledging the ambivalent views of Chinese nationals towards the political system in China, the marginal nature of social dissent, and the cost-benefit calculation of such dissent. The authors advocate creating "spaces of mutual benevolence" for successful, pragmatic communication between the EU and China.