Abstract

Abstract: The growing division of opinions and the apparent polarisation in Chinese cyberspace can be attributed to the complexity of online debate and Chinese political culture. This article examines as a case study the online discussion surrounding Fang Fang, a controversial figure during the COVID-19 outbreak in China, to analyse the characteristics, trends and factors driving the intensifying issue-based online conflict. It tests polarisation effects using a large data set of comments and users that cite Fang Fang’s Weibo posts over a three-month period. Empirical analysis indicates that the perceived polarisation in Chinese social media should be understood as “pseudo opinion polarisation”. Despite temporary polarisation, there was no sustained polarisation of attitudes in these online debates. The discussion reveals that the dominant opinion, which was against Fang Fang, overshadowed opposing views. There is also a noticeable uptrend in expressions of cyber-nationalism expression in comments. The authors argue that within Chinese political culture, when political divisions deepen in issue-based discussions, overarching political discourses (e.g. nationalism) may impede or reverse the process of polarisation. Thus, rather than opinion polarisation, a mainstreaming of opinion was observed.

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