Yida Zhai | Akateeminen Kirjakauppa

The politics of COVID-19 reflect China’s general politics, revealing the characteristics of its governance. This book sheds light on how ordinary Chinese people view the government’s anti-COVID-19 policies and evaluate China’s political system.

Generally, Chinese people evaluated China’s COVID-19 response more favorably than that of other countries, maintaining their confidence in the superiority of China’s political system. There have been many changes in Chinese attitudes toward the state and their perception of their own rights and responsibilities. During the pandemic, the state imposed various restrictions on people’s mobility and activities. In addition, NGOs and grassroots volunteers were absorbed and integrated into the government’s system to combat COVID-19. The Chinese authorities adopted various strategies to maintain public support for the government during the COVID-19 crisis, and these strategies continue to be applied even after the pandemic is over. The research findings not only facilitate a deeper understanding of China’s changing state-society relations, but also explain the resilience and evolution of authoritarian regimes.

This book will be an essential read to students and scholars of Chinese studies, political science, and those who are interested in Chinese politics and public policy in general.