The Chinese government has long been suspected of hiring as many as 2,000,000 people to surreptitiously insert huge numbers of pseudonymous and other deceptive writings into the stream of real social media posts, as if they were the genuine opinions of ordinary people. Many academics, and most journalists and activists, claim that these so-called "50c party" posts vociferously argue for the government's side in political and policy debates. As we show, this is also true of the vast majority of posts openly accused on social media of being 50c. Yet, almost no systematic empirical evidence exists for this claim, or, more importantly, for the Chinese regime's strategic objective in pursuing this activity. In the first large scale empirical analysis of this operation, we show how to identify the secretive authors of these posts, the posts written by them, and their content. We estimate that the government fabricates and posts about 448 million social media comments a year. In contrast to prior claims, we show that the Chinese regime's strategy is to avoid arguing with skeptics of the party and the government, and to not even discuss controversial issues. We infer that the goal of this massive secretive operation is instead to regularly distract the public and change the subject, as most of the these posts involve cheerleading for China, the revolutionary history of the Communist Party, or other symbols of the regime. We discuss how these results fit with what is known about the Chinese censorship program, and suggest how they may change our broader theoretical understanding of "common knowledge" and information control in authoritarian regimes.

The following dataset is based on American University Club of Shanghai. American University Men in China. Shanghai: Comacrib Press, 1936. It provides information on the 418 members - both Chinese and non-Chinese - of the American University Club of China (Shanghai) recorded in the directory. Established around 1902, the American University Club (AUC) was one of the earliest and largest organizations of American university alumni in pre-Communist China. The attached file comprises two tabs, one for the data and one for describing the variables (key). We are most grateful to Dr. Jiang Jie (Shanghai Normal University) who kindly provided us with a digital copy of the directory.

This dataset covers ballots 286-88, and 290-92, spanning January, March, May, July, September and November 1961. The dataset contains the data resulting from these polls in ASCII. The ballots are as follows: 286 - January This Gallup poll seeks the opinions on Canadians on several leading topics of the day. Some of the major subjects of discussion include labour unions, problems facing the country, political issues, and opinions toward trade and investment with other countries, specifically the United States. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: American investment in Canada; brand name recognition; Communist China in the United Nations; criticisms of labour unions; defence policy; federal elections; high income taxes; high prices; preferred political parties; priorities of labour unions; problems facing Canada; railway workers strike; trade with the United States; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 287 - March This Gallup poll aims to collect the opinions of Canadians on various subjects of political importance to the country. Some issues raised include the introduction of provincial sales tax, education, foreign policy, and preferred political parties and leaders. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic and social variables. Topics of interest include: the potential adoption of the 4 day work week; the biggest pet peeves of respondents; the C.C.F. party; communist China trading with Canada; the Conservative party; contentment with appliances and furniture; Diefenbaker's performance as Prime Minister; federal elections; the fluoridation of water; how to spend extra money; immigration; increasing the intensity of education in Canada; the Liberal party; local business conditions; preferred political party; provincial sales tax; South Africa's racial policies; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 288 - May This Gallup poll aims primarily to collect the political views of Canadians. The questions focus either directly on political leaders and parties, or on issues of political importance to the country. The questions deal with political issues both in Canada, and in other countries, including the United States, and Britain. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic and social variables. Topics of interest include: the Conservative party; electoral campaign funding and spending; Britain's interest in joining the European Common Market; Diefenbaker's performance as Prime Minister; federal elections; Lester Pearson's performance as leader of the opposition; the Liberal party; preferred political parties; restrictions on non-white immigrants; opinions on the Senate, and what their main job is; South Africa leaving the common wealth, and their racial policies; potential successors to the current political leaders; unemployment predictions; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 290 - July This Gallup poll aims primarily to collect the political views of Canadians. The questions focus either directly on political leaders and parties, or on issues of political importance to the country. The questions deal with political issues both in Canada, and in other countries, including the United States, and Britain. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic and social variables. Topics of interest include: the Conservative party; electoral campaign funding and spending; Britain's interest in joining the European Common Market; Diefenbaker's performance as Prime Minister; federal elections; Lester Pearson's performance as leader of the opposition; the Liberal party; preferred political parties; restrictions on non-white immigrants; opinions on the Senate, and what their main job is; South Africa leaving the common wealth, and their racial policies; potential successors to the current political leaders; unemployment predictions; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 291 - September This Gallup poll aims to collect the opinions of Canadians, mostly on issues of global or international importance. Issues such as nuclear war, the spread of communism, and international politics are raised. Also asked were questions of local (Canadian) significance, including awareness and opinions of the New Democratic Party. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic and social variables. Topics of interest include: American influence over the Canadian lifestyle; the conflict over Berlin; a career as a police officer for respondents' sons; Canada's dependence on American defence; federal elections; respondents' opinions on what "free enterprise" means; whether all labour unions should back up a single political party; who is ahead in terms of missile technology; nuclear weapons for Canadian Armed Forces; Russia; respondents' opinions on what "socialism" means; likelihood of survival during a nuclear war; union membership; the United Nations; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 292 - November This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on mostly current events and social issues. For instance, there is a section measuring the presence of appliances, questions on money and general standards of living, and issues such as alcoholism. There are also some more politically based questions, on subjects such as Unemployment Insurance and nuclear war. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic and social variables. Topics of interest include: alcoholism; appliances owned or expecting to own soon; car ownership; civil defence during a nuclear war; foreign aid; housing satisfaction; nuclear war; peace with Russia; price expectations; risk of another world war; standards of living; unemployment levels; Unemployment Insurance; union membership; vacations recently taken or planned; voting behaviour; and writing letters to Members of Parliament. Basic demographics variables are also included.The codebook for this dataset is available through the UBC Library catalogue, with call number HN110.Z9 P84.

This dataset covers ballots 306-9, spanning February, April, August, and November 1964. The dataset contains the data resulting from these polls in ASCII. The ballots are as follows: 306 - February This Gallup poll aims to collect the opinions of Canadians on issues mainly of a political nature. This survey questions the respondent on their opinions about political parties and leaders, and other issues of importance to government and Canada as a whole. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: which people in the world are admired most; whether Canada should recognize the communist government in China; defense policy; Diefenbaker's performance as the leader of the opposition; whether Easter should be held on a fixed date; federal elections; inflation predictions; labour leaders' wisdom; whether the Liberal party should unite with the NDP; Pearson's performance as Prime Minister; preferred political parties; sex education in highschool; unemployment predictions; union membership; the vote of confidence in Diefenbaker by the Conservative party; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 307 - April This Gallup poll aims to collect the opinions of Canadians on various leading topics of the day. Many of the questions are political in nature, questioning respondents on political parties and the leaders of the country, as well as issues of interest to Canadians and politicians. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. The topics of interest include: attitudes towards teachers; how automation is affecting jobs; Canadian troops in Cyprus; cigarette advertising; electing a woman federally; federal election; political campaign funding; portable pension plans; whether the Queen should visit Quebec on her upcoming visit to Canada; relations with the United States; smoking habits; Unemployment Insurance; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 308 - August This Gallup poll aims to collect the views of Canadians on leading topics of the day. The questions are mostly political, focusing on political parties, policies, and other issues of importance to Canadians and government. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: Barry Goldwater as the next American president; Canada joining the United States; Canadian flag design; Conservative party; death penalty for murderers; Diefenbaker's performance as leader of the Conservative party; federal elections; whether influence or merit is more important in today's world; the Liberal party; major family problems; major problems facing government; Pearson's performance as Liberal leader; preferred political parties; Quebec separating from the rest of Canada; reasons people are poor; smoking habits; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 309 - November This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on topics of importance and interest to the general population as well as government. As well as topics of political significance, such as those involving preferred political parties, leaders and policies, there are also current events questions, on topics such as birth control, medical illness funding, and weight loss. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: biggest mistakes in life made by respondents; birth control; the Canadian flag; Canadian national anthem; whether Diefenbaker or Pearson makes a better Prime Minister; living peacefully with China and Russia; illness funding; interesting events that happened in the world; the monarchy's significance to Canada; who is the most interesting Canadian; reasons that Canadians perceive parliament to be poor at dealing with problems; preferred political parties; whether to abolish provincial governments; whether telling children about Santa Claus is harmful to them; trying to lose weight; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included.The codebook for this dataset is available through the UBC Library catalogue, with call number HN110.Z9 P84.

This dataset covers ballots 300-305, spanning January, March, April, June, August, and November 1963. The dataset contains the data resulting from these polls in ASCII. The ballots are as follows: 300 - January This Canadian Gallup poll seeks the views of Canadians on a number of politically rooted issues, including opinions toward politicians and political parties, and political ideas, such as medicare. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic and social variables. The topics of interest include: American prestige in Canada; who would make the best premier for Ontario; car ownership; which country is the biggest threat to peace; the Conservative party; the development of Canada as a nation; federal elections; John Diefenbaker's potential successor; Lester B. Pearson's potential successor; the Liberal party; Medicare; the New Democratic party; political party word association; the propaganda war between the United States and Russia; product-brand name association; Robert Thompson; the Social Credit party; Tommy Douglas; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 301 - March This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on predominantly political issues, prior to an election. The questions aim to gather views on political leaders and parties, and Canadians' feelings towards several issues that are of importance to the election. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. The topics of interest include: Canadian forces having nuclear weapons; car ownership; defence policy; Diefenbaker's performance as Prime Minister; federal elections; frequency of being home during weekdays; major problems facing Canada; Pearson's performance as leader of the opposition; preferred political parties; preferred Prime Minister; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographic variables are also included. 302 - April This Gallup poll aims to collect the opinions of Canadians on issues of a political nature. There are questions about voting patterns and interest, issues of national importance, including defence, the National Anthem and the Canadian Flag, and questions involving Canada and other nations. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. The topics of interest include: alcohol prohibition; Britain's status as a world power; Canada's dependency on the United States; Canadian national anthem; car ownership; defence policy; preferred designs for the Canadian flag; employment; English-French relations; federal elections; leaving school at the age of 16; strikes; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 303 - June This Gallup poll seeks the opinions and views of Canadians on several leading topics of the day. The major issues discussed are all significant from a political perspective, as the questions often involve problems facing politicians, or are about opinions towards the political leaders and parties directly. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. The topics of interest include: whether Bingo games should be allowed to raise money in Canada; American investment in Canada; artists developing their talents in Canada; cigarette smoking; dating in highschool; Diefenbaker's performance as leader of the opposition; whether it is easy to get a divorce in Canada; federal elections; free trade with the United States; whether French Canadians are receiving full rights under Confederation; listening to shortwave radio; using government lotteries to help pay for social services; whether to legalize off-track betting; Pearson's performance as Prime Minister; unemployment predictions; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 304 - August This Gallup poll aims to collect the opinions of Canadians on several leading topics of the day, including health related subjects, taxation, and other policies and government activities. Some questions have international significance, and deal with Britain, China, and the United Nations. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. The topics of interest include: predictions for Britain's next Prime Minister; Communist China in the United Nations; federal elections; higher wages for labour; housing of respondents; John Diefenbaker's chances of returning to power; Lester B. Pearson's performance as Prime Minister; pay raises for Members of Parliament; pay raises for senators; peace with Russia; whether the population of Canada should be larger; preventing the break up of Confederation; racism; Real Caouette's performance; smoking habits; tax increases; union membership; voting behaviour; and Walter Gordon's performance as Minister of Finance. Basic demographic variables are also included. 305 - November This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on leading political issues of the day. The tone of the questions is entirely political, with major subjects including serious crimes, juvenile delinquency, bilingualism, and government. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. The topics of interest include: ambitions for the next year; Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism; federal elections; farmers getting a fair deal from the provinces; increase in juvenile delinquency; Lester B. Pearson's performance as Prime Minister; Liberal government's performance; whether the minority government should try to avoid an election; official recognition of bilingualism; people working multiple jobs; relations with the United States; seriousness of various crimes; two party political system in Canada; union membership; and voting membership. Basic demographics variables are also included.The codebook for this dataset is available through the UBC Library catalogue, with call number HN110.Z9 P84.

The dataset recorded the statistical data of the number of party members (members) of various parties in Qinghai Province from 1978 to 2020, which were divided by the Communist Party of China, the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT), the China Democratic League, the China Democratic Construction Association, the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, and the Jiusan Society. The data are collected from qinghai Statistical Yearbook released by Qinghai Provincial Bureau of Statistics. The dataset contains 18 data tables, all of which have the same structure. For example, the data table from 2013 to 2018 has 7 fields: Field 1: Name Field 2:2013 Field 3:2014 Field 4:2015 Field 5:2016 Field 6:2017 Field 7:2018