What does it mean to be 'local' in a country as vast and diverse as China? Biljana Vankovska, a professor of International Relations from North Macedonia, offers fresh insights from her comparative study of Chinese governance and European electoral systems. Her observations reveal how China’s approach to local administration blends practicality with deep cultural roots.
Layers of 'Local' in China
In conversations with Chinese colleagues, Vankovska uncovered four distinct dimensions:
Administrative: Provincial, municipal, and district governments operate with centralized coordination while retaining flexibility
Geographic: Regional identities like Sichuanese cuisine or Cantonese dialects shape cultural definitions
Economic: Local businesses prioritize domestic markets while competing in national networks
Political: Reforms target hyperlocal challenges through tiered governance structures
Community as Foundation
A visit to Chinese residential complexes revealed self-sustaining units with amenities and green spaces. 'Our society emphasizes collective well-being,' explained her hosts, highlighting community-focused urban planning that contrasts with Western individualism.
Lessons from Contrast
The professor contrasts this with North Macedonia’s localized issues of political fragmentation and disengagement. 'China shows scale needn’t preclude functionality,' she notes, 'when systems align with cultural values of harmony and mutual responsibility.' While not presenting China as a model, her analysis invites reflection on balancing local identity with national cohesion.
