Characterizing E-Government in China

Abstract

Although E-Government (E-G) is one public policy in China, it still has a long way to go in terms of diffusion across the country and interactive participation from citizens. It constitutes a double sided sword since it enhances the features that China needs to show to the world in international competitiveness and status, but also poses challenges to the Communist rule inasmuch as it has to be controlled. Therefore, E-G is both a political and a managerial issue: it is sensitive to the Chinese Communist Party but also leads to economical and administrative prosperity and efficiency. Some of the keys would be the development of the middle class, further penetration of the Internet, and more education about virtual tools in government issues and services.