WeChat as the coordinator of polymedia: Chinese women maintaining intercultural romantic relationships

Xiong, Y; Liu, T

WeChat as the coordinator of polymedia: Chinese women maintaining intercultural romantic relationships

Xiong, Y Liu, T

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Publisher:: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Media International Australia, 2023, 188, (1), pp. 160-176
Issue Date:: 2023-08-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Xiong, Y
dc.contributor.author	Liu, T https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4717-6519
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-30T00:31:49Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-30T00:31:49Z
dc.date.issued	2023-08-01
dc.identifier.citation	Media International Australia, 2023, 188, (1), pp. 160-176
dc.identifier.issn	1329-878X
dc.identifier.issn	2200-467X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/175042
dc.description.abstract	This article considers the ways in which the super-sticky all-in-one platform WeChat acts as the coordinator of a polymedia environment – and not just part of the polymedia environment – in mediating intercultural romantic relationships in the Greater Bay Area of China. Based on qualitative interviews, the article explores how WeChat coordinates a diverse range of digital communication tools for typical intercultural couples (Chinese women and foreign men) to mediate and maintain intimacy. The article contends that WeChat mainly derives its coordinator legitimacy and power from the government's prohibition of non-Chinese social media, WeChat's multi-functionality and its ‘local’ nature – Chinese language, social networking capacities and connectivity to other Chinese applications. Finally, this article finds that the power asymmetry caused by WeChat coordinating ecosystem of converged communication has significantly empowered middle-class Chinese women to take control of their intimate intercultural relationships. Research limitations and theoretical implications are discussed.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Media International Australia
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/1329878X221103883
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	16 Studies in Human Society, 19 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing, 20 Language, Communication and Culture
dc.subject.classification	3605 Screen and digital media
dc.subject.classification	4701 Communication and media studies
dc.title	WeChat as the coordinator of polymedia: Chinese women maintaining intercultural romantic relationships
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	188
utslib.for	16 Studies in Human Society
utslib.for	19 Studies in Creative Arts and Writing
utslib.for	20 Language, Communication and Culture
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Design
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-30T00:31:48Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	188
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

This article considers the ways in which the super-sticky all-in-one platform WeChat acts as the coordinator of a polymedia environment – and not just part of the polymedia environment – in mediating intercultural romantic relationships in the Greater Bay Area of China. Based on qualitative interviews, the article explores how WeChat coordinates a diverse range of digital communication tools for typical intercultural couples (Chinese women and foreign men) to mediate and maintain intimacy. The article contends that WeChat mainly derives its coordinator legitimacy and power from the government's prohibition of non-Chinese social media, WeChat's multi-functionality and its ‘local’ nature – Chinese language, social networking capacities and connectivity to other Chinese applications. Finally, this article finds that the power asymmetry caused by WeChat coordinating ecosystem of converged communication has significantly empowered middle-class Chinese women to take control of their intimate intercultural relationships. Research limitations and theoretical implications are discussed.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/175042