Chinese written Internet: Diversity and Segregation

This essay suggests that the China’s Internet (i.e. Internet filtered by the Great Firewall) is increasingly segregated from the rest of Chinese Internet (i.e. all Internet content written in Chinese).  First it begins with a description of the vibrant diversity (regional, linguistic, and political) in Chinese-written Internet.  It contextualizes the recent and emergent corresponding development of telecommunication infrastructure, techno-linguistic architecture, and broader popular culture.  Second, the study argues that these differences may be reinforced by the governance issues around copyright and censorship, or vice versa.  Finally, these mutually-reinforcing differences may prevent possible trans-regional or trans-national integration.  Consequently, it is hoped that users, designers, and architects of Chinese Internet will develop the capacity to manage regional and linguistic diversity through a clearer understanding of the evolving techno-linguistic architecture, the existing services and tools, and the roles of major government and corporate players in the process.