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A recent survey shows that popular trust in the Chinese central government grows stronger due to its effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey also observes growth in public confidence in local governments. The survey researchers implicitly assume that the observed trust in the central government is equivalent to observed trust in a national government or federal government in electoral democracy. They also implicitly assume that the observed trust in local government in China is equivalent to observed trust in local government in electoral democracy. I offer a different interpretation of the survey result. As I see it, the target of political trust in China is the Center, which is ultimately the top leader. The observed trust in the central government indicates trust in the Center’s commitment, while the observed trust in the local government reflects confidence about the Center’s capacity. Trust in the central government has always been exceptionally high in the country. What is more noteworthy is the growth of trust in local government. 

Lianjiang Li is a professor in the Department of Government and Public Administration at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. His research is focused on political participation and political trust in China. He is the co-author (with Kevin O’Brien) of Rightful Resistance in Rural China (Cambridge University Press, 2006). His research articles appear in Asian Survey, China Information, China Journal, China Quarterly, Comparative Politics, Comparative Political Studies, Journal of Contemporary China, Modern China, Political Behavior and Political Studies.

You can find a recording of the talk here.