As far as the internet is concerned, China has found itself in a tricky situation that it hopes to alleviate, if not solve completely, with the 'Chinese Encyclopedia.' The gigantic online public works project, which (as its on-the-nose name suggests) is a state-sanctioned online encyclopedia, aims to surpass the current Mandarin Wikipedia in terms of usage and quality.
Though China is in many ways one of the technological powers of the world, the internet poses a problem for an autocratic nation. Controlling information is essential, and the internet is effectively a space for the free exchange of ideas, with Wikipedia leading the way in that quest. The Chinese Encyclopedia is the nation's response: the government hopes that the site will give its citizens access to all the knowledge that Wikipedia offers while still being vetted by officials for the tenets of socialism.
National Online Encyclopedias
The 'Chinese Encyclopedia' is Aiming to Surpass Chinese Wikipedia
Trend Themes
1. State-sanctioned Online Encyclopedias - The 'Chinese Encyclopedia' is a state-sanctioned online encyclopedia aiming to surpass Chinese Wikipedia, highlighting the trend of governments taking control of information dissemination.
2. Government-controlled Internet - China's 'Chinese Encyclopedia' is a direct response to the challenge of controlling information on the internet, illustrating the trend of autocratic nations seeking to regulate online content.
3. Vetted Knowledge Platforms - The launch of the 'Chinese Encyclopedia' reflects the growing trend of creating knowledge platforms vetted by officials, providing users with curated information aligned with government ideologies.
Industry Implications
1. Online Information Services - The emergence of state-sanctioned online encyclopedias like the 'Chinese Encyclopedia' presents growth opportunities in the online information services industry, driven by the need for controlled knowledge dissemination.
2. Government Technology Solutions - The development of government-controlled internet platforms, such as China's 'Chinese Encyclopedia,' creates a demand for technology solutions tailored to the requirements of autocratic regimes.
3. Censored Knowledge Platforms - The trend of vetted knowledge platforms, exemplified by the 'Chinese Encyclopedia,' opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the development of alternative, uncensored knowledge-sharing platforms.