The Making of China’s Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security Policy: Players, Governance, and Global Ambition

The rise of digital technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), has transformed societies and international politics. China has responded to the transformation and strived to become one of the global leaders. What is China’s approach toward the objective? Who are the major players and stakeholders in the making of digital policy? How has the Chinese state worked with various stakeholders? To what extent has digital technology influenced China’s authoritarian governance? How has Chinese society responded to digital authoritarianism? Can China prevail in shaping global digital rulemaking? This edited volume seeks answers to these important questions. Divided into three parts, Part I examines how the central state has become a leading player and coordinated with various stakeholders, such as academic institutions, corporations, and local governments, in making digital technology policy. Part II analyses how the Chinese party-state used digital technology to strengthen authoritarian governance and how society has responded to digital authoritarianism. Part III explores China’s attempt to shape global digital rulemaking in competition with the US and other Western countries. This book is aimed at scholars, researchers, policymakers, and students with an interest in digital technology, international relations, Chinese politics, and authoritarian governance. It will also appeal to those studying AI, digital governance, and global power dynamics. The chapters in this book were originally published in the Journal of Contemporary China and come with a new introduction.