How China Curbs Free Speech Beyond Its Borders: Legal Strategies of Transnational Censorship

This research presents a pioneering analytical framework that delves into the structural implications of China’s transnational censorship on global freedom of expression over the past decade. The study meticulously unpacks the party-state’s evolving transnational censorship laws, highlighting their novel structural nuances. It further investigates the multi-faceted strategies employed by the party-state to amplify its authoritarian influence across political, economic, and technological domains. At its core, these laws, while appearing to adhere to a legitimate legal framework, are characterized by their unique normative features. Collectively, they not only reshape the content of global discourse but also challenge the prevailing international order that upholds free speech.