{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]],"date-time":"2026-10-19T18:39:27Z","timestamp":1792435167690,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":26,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,17]],"date-time":"2026-10-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1792195200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001809","name":"national natural science foundation of china","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["L2424103"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["L2424103"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001809","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"name":"Science and Technology Planning Project of Hebei Province","award":["25357621D"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["25357621D"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Public Underst Sci"],"abstract":"<jats:p>\n                    In this article, the 2002 and 2024 revised editions of the\n                    <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">Law of the People\u2019s Republic of China on the Popularization of Science and Technology<\/jats:italic>\n                    (\u201cthe Law\u201d) are examined to explore how the state shapes the science\u2013society relationship. Relevant explanatory reports on the revision of the Law, policies, and central\/local materials about the implementation of the first \u201cNational Science Popularization Month\u201d are reviewed. Based on four dimensions (political\u2013normative, organizational\u2013responsibility, capacity\u2013instrument, and oversight\u2013accountability), the new Law is proposed to promote science popularization from \u201can educational and cultural activity to cultivate individual scientific quality\u201d to \u201ca basic governance project that serves a powerful country in science and technology, Chinese-style modernization, and high-level self-reliance in science and technology.\u201d Three cases of popularization efforts, urban, rural and mobile, reveal that the Law increases the visibility and organizational density of science popularization. However, the materials also reveal that public participation is defined mainly as visiting, experiencing, volunteering, and cooperating with governance, rather than issue identification, decision-making, or cogovernance. Therefore, two concepts, \u201clegalized science popularization\u201d and a \u201cstate-mobilized literacy model,\u201d are proposed, and it is asserted that instead of going beyond a simple deficit model or becoming a participation model, the Chinese case presents a hybrid form of science popularization characterized by law centering, multiorganizational coordination and state mobilization support.\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/09636625261486280","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,17]],"date-time":"2026-10-17T10:48:24Z","timestamp":1792234104000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Shaping science and society through law: Governance logic and public roles in the revised Law of the People\u2019s Republic of China on the Popularization of Science and Technology"],"prefix":"10.1177","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-5548-1971","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rongrong","family":"Ren","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Management, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, China"},{"name":"Hebei Provincial Science Popularization Information Technology Innovation Center, Qinhuangdao, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8482-5605","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Bingyuan","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Library, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-4503-3774","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Zhaoyang","family":"Sun","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Management, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_5_2_1","unstructured":"Beijing Municipal People\u2019s Government (2025) \u9996\u4e2a\u201c\u5168\u56fd\u79d1\u666e\u6708\u201d\u5317\u4eac\u5c06\u5f00\u5c55\u8fd13000\u573a\u6d3b\u52a8 [Beijing launches its first National Science Popularization Month with nearly 3 000 activities]. Available at: https:\/\/www.sohu.com\/a\/926757492_121620820 (accessed 2 September 2025; in Chinese)."},{"key":"e_1_3_5_3_1","first-page":"25","volume-title":"Communicating Science: New Agendas in Communication","author":"Brossard D","year":"2009","unstructured":"Brossard D, Lewenstein BV (2009) A critical appraisal of models of public understanding of science: Using practice to inform theory. In: Kahlor L, Stout PA (eds) Communicating Science: New Agendas in Communication. Routledge, pp.25\u201353."},{"key":"e_1_3_5_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203928240-11"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_5_1","unstructured":"CAST [China Association for Science and Technology] (2025) \u767e\u9986\u5343\u8f66\u4e07\u4eba\u884c \u534f\u540c\u8054\u52a8\u8c31\u65b0\u7bc7\u2014\u2014\u9996\u4e2a\u5168\u56fd\u79d1\u666e\u6708\u4e3b\u573a\u53ca\u5168\u56fd\u6d3b\u52a8\u7efc\u8ff0 [A nationwide science month across more than one hundred venues: Summary of the first National Science Popularization Month main venue and national activities]. Available at: https:\/\/www.cast.org.cn\/xw\/MTBD\/art\/2025\/art_4ce88c1107574767a28aff58097cbf0d.html (accessed 19 September 2025; in Chinese)."},{"key":"e_1_3_5_6_1","unstructured":"CPC Central Committee and State Council (2022) \u5173\u4e8e\u65b0\u65f6\u4ee3\u8fdb\u4e00\u6b65\u52a0\u5f3a\u79d1\u5b66\u6280\u672f\u666e\u53ca\u5de5\u4f5c\u7684\u610f\u89c1 [Opinions on further strengthening the popularization of science and technology in the new era]. Issued 4 September 2022. Available at: https:\/\/www.gov.cn\/gongbao\/content\/2022\/content_5710610.htm (in Chinese)."},{"key":"e_1_3_5_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1057\/978-1-137-50366-4"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guan T Chen X (2023) The emerging scientific public sphere in China\u2019s digital economy: Weibo discussions on facial recognition technology. Public Understanding of Science 32(2): 208\u2013223. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/09636625221113957","DOI":"10.1177\/09636625221113957"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Howlett M (1991) Policy instruments policy styles and policy implementation. Policy Studies Journal 19(2): 1\u201321. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1541-0072.1991.tb01878.x","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1541-0072.1991.tb01878.x"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4324\/9780429401046"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/CBO9780511563737"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jia H (2022) More engagement but less participation: China\u2019s alternative approach to public communication of science and technology. Public Understanding of Science 31(3): 331\u2013339. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/09636625221090729","DOI":"10.1177\/09636625221090729"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jia H Liu L (2014) Unbalanced progress: The hard road from science popularisation to public engagement with science in China. Public Understanding of Science 23(1): 32\u201337. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0963662513476404","DOI":"10.1177\/0963662513476404"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lascoumes P Le Gal\u00e8s P (2007) Introduction: Understanding public policy through its instruments\u2014From the nature of instruments to the sociology of public policy instrumentation. Governance 20(1): 1\u201321. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1468-0491.2007.00342.x","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1468-0491.2007.00342.x"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Li Y Zhang L (2023) What keeps them involved? An exploratory study of scientists\u2019 participation mechanisms in science communication in China. Cultures of Science 6(4): 368\u2013388. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/20966083231219089","DOI":"10.1177\/20966083231219089"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Li Y Zhu L (2024) Exploring the behavioral mechanisms of Chinese scientists\u2019 public engagement with science based on an integrative model. Journal of Science Communication 23(5): A03. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.22323\/2.23050203","DOI":"10.22323\/2.23050203"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu M Liu L (2025) Can China\u2019s publicity departments build people\u2019s trust by building platform government? Evidence from social media in public health emergencies. Chinese Public Administration Review 16(2): 104\u2013118. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/15396754251331221","DOI":"10.1177\/15396754251331221"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_18_1","author":"Ministry of Science and Technology","year":"2024","unstructured":"Ministry of Science and Technology (2024) \u65b0\u4fee\u8ba2\u7684\u79d1\u666e\u6cd5\u201c\u65b0\u201d\u5728\u54ea\uff1f\u79d1\u6280\u90e8\u89e3\u8bfb [What is new in the revised Science Popularization Law? An interpretation by the Ministry of Science and Technology]. Adopted 31 December 2024. PRC Government.","journal-title":"\u65b0\u4fee\u8ba2\u7684\u79d1\u666e\u6cd5\u201c\u65b0\u201d\u5728\u54ea\uff1f\u79d1\u6280\u90e8\u89e3\u8bfb"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_19_1","volume-title":"Law of the People\u2019s Republic of China on the popularization of science and technology","author":"National People\u2019s Congress Standing Committee [NPCSC]","year":"2002","unstructured":"National People\u2019s Congress Standing Committee [NPCSC] (2002) Law of the People\u2019s Republic of China on the popularization of science and technology. Adopted 29 June 2002. NPCSC (in Chinese)."},{"key":"e_1_3_5_20_1","volume-title":"Law of the People\u2019s Republic of China on the popularization of science and technology (revised)","author":"National People\u2019s Congress Standing Committee [NPCSC]","year":"2024","unstructured":"National People\u2019s Congress Standing Committee [NPCSC] (2024) Law of the People\u2019s Republic of China on the popularization of science and technology (revised). Adopted 25 December 2024. NPCSC (in Chinese)."},{"key":"e_1_3_5_21_1","unstructured":"State Council (2021) \u5168\u6c11\u79d1\u5b66\u7d20\u8d28\u884c\u52a8\u89c4\u5212\u7eb2\u8981\uff082021\u20142035\u5e74\uff09 [Outline of the National Action Plan for Scientific Literacy (2021\u20132035)]. Issued 3 June 2021. Available at: https:\/\/www.gov.cn\/gongbao\/content\/2021\/content_5623051.htm (in Chinese)."},{"key":"e_1_3_5_22_1","unstructured":"Tacheng Prefectural Administrative Office (2025) \u9996\u4e2a\u201c\u5168\u56fd\u79d1\u666e\u6708\u201d\u5854\u57ce\u5730\u533a\u6253\u9020\u5168\u57df\u79d1\u666e\u76db\u5bb4 [Tacheng builds a region-wide public science feast during the first National Science Popularization Month]. Available at: https:\/\/www.xjtc.gov.cn\/ywdt\/jrtc\/bmdt\/content_57252 (accessed 3 September 2025; in Chinese)."},{"key":"e_1_3_5_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Weingart P Joubert M (2019) The conflation of motives of science communication\u2014Causes consequences remedies. Journal of Science Communication 18(3): Y01. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.22323\/2.18030401","DOI":"10.22323\/2.18030401"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yang Z (2021) Deconstruction of the discourse authority of scientists in Chinese online science communication: Investigation of citizen science communicators on Chinese knowledge sharing networks. Public Understanding of Science 30(8): 993\u20131007. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/09636625211005106","DOI":"10.1177\/09636625211005106"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yang Z (2023) Who should be a science communicator? The struggle for \u201clegitimate\u201d status as science communicators between Chinese scientists and citizens on a Chinese knowledge-sharing platform. Public Understanding of Science 32(3): 357\u2013372. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/09636625221118180","DOI":"10.1177\/09636625221118180"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yang Z Huang Y Yang T et al. (2024) How different science communicators use identity strategies to gain public trust: A study on astronomy and climate change issues on a Chinese knowledge-sharing platform. Journal of Science Communication 23(9) A08. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.22323\/2.23090208","DOI":"10.22323\/2.23090208"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_27_1","author":"Yin H","year":"2024","unstructured":"Yin H (2024) \u5173\u4e8e\u300a\u4e2d\u534e\u4eba\u6c11\u5171\u548c\u56fd\u79d1\u5b66\u6280\u672f\u666e\u53ca\u6cd5(\u4fee\u8ba2\u8349\u6848)\u300b\u7684\u8bf4\u660e [Explanation of the draft revision of the Law of the People\u2019s Republic of China on the Popularization of Science and Technology]. Adopted 4 November 2024.","journal-title":"\u5173\u4e8e\u300a\u4e2d\u534e\u4eba\u6c11\u5171\u548c\u56fd\u79d1\u5b66\u6280\u672f\u666e\u53ca\u6cd5(\u4fee\u8ba2\u8349\u6848)\u300b\u7684\u8bf4\u660e"}],"container-title":["Public Understanding of Science"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/09636625261486280","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/09636625261486280","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/09636625261486280","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]],"date-time":"2026-10-19T17:51:05Z","timestamp":1792432265000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/09636625261486280"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,17]]},"references-count":26,"alternative-id":["10.1177\/09636625261486280"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/09636625261486280","relation":{},"ISSN":["0963-6625","1361-6609"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0963-6625","type":"print"},{"value":"1361-6609","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,17]]},"article-number":"09636625261486280"}}