Research Article · Vol. 24, No. 2 (2025) · pp. 69-93
Peer reviewed — at least two external reviewers, single-anonymised. Editorial process
Evaluating Political Expression of Publics Inside and Outside the Walls: A Comparative Analysis of Online Public Posts on U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's Visit to China
- Weiwen Yu — Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University
Published Dec 31, 2025 · https://doi.org/10.17477/jcea.2025.24.2.069
Abstract
Adopting a comparative cross-platform approach, this study examines political expression on social media. Tracking a case study-U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's visit to China-across two social media platforms popular within and outside China's borders (Sina Weibo, and X formerly known as Twitter), this study compared information sources, criticality and diversity, as well as impoliteness and incivility of the online public posts. A quantitative content analysis of around 438 comments posted on Weibo and X shows for the public comments within and outside the borders, there was a significant difference in using the number of governmental information sources and criticism of the Chinese government and its policies, but no significant difference in their impoliteness and incivility. This crossplatform analysis enables a deeper understanding of the stereotypes and realities of public political expressions inside and outside the walls in the context of a new geopolitical conflict and the Internet age.
Keywords:Online Political ExpressionPublics within and outside the BordersSocial MediaSina WeiboX (Twitter)