Chinese nationalism in the age of social media: competing actors, discourses and interests

China's escalating tensions with the West, especially the United States, over issues like Covid-19, trade and human rights have intensified nationalistic sentiments among the public. While the Chinese Communist Party has traditionally used nationalism to mobilise support and legitimise state actions, the rise of social media has complicated its control over nationalist ideology. Platforms like Weibo and Douyin (TikTok) allow ordinary citizens to produce and spread nationalist narratives, sometimes challenging official ones. These platforms also monetise nationalistic content, turning it into a profitable business that gratifies users. However, excessive commercialisation of these sentiments risks backlash and state suppression. This chapter argues that to maintain control, the Chinese state has not only censored competing narratives but also strategically co-opted various actors to align with its ideological objectives and serve its political ends.