The SAGE Handbook of Chinese Digital Media and Communication

The Sage Handbook of Chinese Digital Media and Communication is the first comprehensive reference work dedicated to the fast-evolving field of digital media and communication in China. Marking three decades since China’s official connection to the internet, this landmark volume brings together leading scholars from across the globe to examine the profound transformations digital technologies have brought to Chinese society, politics, culture, and economy.

Spanning activism, governance, labor, industry, everyday life, and research methods, the handbook offers a critical and interdisciplinary survey of the field. It explores how the internet and digital media have reshaped political participation, civil society, and national identity; how state regulation and surveillance intersect with innovation and platformization; and how digital labor, fandom, gaming, and e-commerce are redefining cultural production, consumption and economy. It also reflects on the lived experiences of users, from parenting and diaspora to queer communities and mobile rituals.

Structured across five thematic parts, the volume not only maps the current landscape of Chinese digital media and communication but also interrogates the knowledge production that has shaped the field. It invites dialogue with global digital media scholarship and offers a timely reflection on the past, present, and future of China’s digital transformation.

The Sage Handbook of Chinese Digital Media and Communication is an indispensable resource for scholars, researchers, and students seeking a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted landscape of Chinese digital media and communication. By examining past achievements, current trends, and future prospects, this collective effort establishes a foundation for advancing knowledge and fostering meaningful dialogues in this rapidly evolving field.

Part 1: Activism, Civil Society and Politics
Part 2: Technology, Regulation and Governance
Part 3: Platform, Labor and Industry
Part 4: User, Culture and Everyday Life
Part 5: Method, Approach and Reflections