Page 162 - Feasibility Study of New Media Technology on Constructing Online Public Sphere

Feasibility Study of New Media Technology
on Constructing Online Public Sphere

6.3.4 New patterns of government regulating behaviour

The turnabout had occurred. The Xiamen government agreed that the project
might have to be shelved, but the most eye-catching event happened when the govern-

ment choose to use mobile communication channels to announce the decision during
and after the demonstration. The text-messages sent in the following days went like
this:
‘The PX plant had already been halted and closed. We are doing an environmental

assessment and it takes more than half year. So if you have any ideas or sugges-
tions, please go through the proper channels to give the government feedback. We
will make sure to share your opinions and suggestions with the government’ (Liu
and Zhao, 2010, p.330).

The government’s channels to communicate with the general public were open,
including local newspapers, TV, the internet and, in particular, mobile phone services.
These were convenient information platforms people can submit their advice or opin-
ions to the government, and from which the government can collect, process and send

feedback.
The development of this anti-PX demonstration had alarmed high-ranking offi-
cials in Beijing. On 4 June, Director Ma Kai from NDRC indicated at a press confer-
ence organised by the Information Office of the State Council that all construction on

the Xiamen PX project had stopped and that the government would listen to public
opinion and experts’ suggestions (Huang, 2010).
Later, the municipal government collaborated with the local newspapers to appeal
to people to support the PX project. From 5 June, the Xiamen Association of Science

and Technology and Xiamen Daily co-edited a brochure called How much do you know
about PX with an initial print run of 250,000 copies. It was released to government
departments, public institutions, districts in Xiamen city, schools, universities, major
tourist spots, hotels, public venues and transportation hubs. The Xiamen Daily, Xiamen

Evening Post, Xiamen Business Daily and other local newspapers used severe political
wording in daily propaganda editorials, such as ‘Don’t forget the pain after the wound

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