审查 (shěnchá) is one of the most important concepts for understanding the flow of information in contemporary China. It is the mechanism behind what is often called the “Great Firewall of China.” In Western cultures, particularly the US, “censorship” is almost universally seen as a negative infringement on the fundamental right to free speech. It's often associated with authoritarianism and is legally challenged. In China, the government frames 审查 differently. It is publicly justified as a necessary tool to protect national security and, most importantly, to maintain 社会稳定 (shèhuì wěndìng) - social stability. The underlying value is that the collective good and social harmony are prioritized over individual freedom of expression. From this perspective, censoring “harmful” information—such as pornography, political dissent, or historical narratives that contradict the official version—is seen as a way to prevent social chaos and guide the country's development. This makes 审查 a deeply political and culturally specific practice, viewed not as an attack on rights, but as a form of paternalistic governance.
审查 manifests in several key areas:
The connotation depends entirely on the context. With government and information, it's negative and restrictive. In business or academia, it's neutral and procedural.