The recent hosting of the Seventh National Conference on University Network Culture Construction and "Strive to be a Good Campus Netizen" Work and Study Sharing Activity at Tongji University marked a pivotal moment in China's higher education landscape. Held on April 8, 2026, at Tongji's Siping Road Campus in Shanghai, this event underscored the nation's commitment to fostering healthy digital citizenship among university students. Organized jointly by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), it brought together leaders, educators, and innovators to showcase progress and chart future directions in campus network culture.

With over 1.125 billion internet users in China by the end of 2025—representing an 80.1% penetration rate—the digital realm has become integral to daily life, especially for the youth. University students, numbering tens of millions, spend significant time online, making initiatives like this essential for guiding responsible behavior and aligning digital activities with national values.

🌐 Evolution of Network Culture in Chinese Higher Education

Network culture construction in Chinese universities has evolved significantly since the early 2010s, paralleling the explosive growth of internet access. The campaign gained momentum around 2015 with the launch of the "Good Netizen" (好网民) concept, promoted by the central government to encourage positive online conduct. By 2016, the first National College Students Network Culture Festival was established, evolving into annual events that engage millions of participants.

This framework addresses challenges such as internet addiction, exposure to harmful content, and the spread of misinformation. Early efforts focused on awareness campaigns, evolving into structured programs integrating ideological and political education—known as "思政教育" or ideological-political education—with digital literacy. The "Strive to be a Good Campus Netizen" slogan encapsulates this, urging students to embody socialist core values online: patriotism, innovation, integrity, and friendship.

Over the years, universities have reported tangible outcomes. For instance, participation in network culture festivals has produced thousands of positive works annually, from micro-videos to articles, amassing billions of views on platforms like WeChat and Douyin (TikTok's Chinese version). These activities have helped reduce reported cyberbullying incidents on campuses by promoting empathy and rational discourse.

Key Highlights from the Tongji Conference

Tongji University, a prestigious institution renowned for architecture, engineering, and urban planning, provided an ideal venue for this national gathering. Attendees included high-profile figures: CAC Deputy Director Yang Jianwen, MOE Deputy Minister Xiong Sihuao, Shanghai Vice Mayor Jie Dong, and Tongji President Yang Jinlong.

The conference featured exhibitions of provincial achievements, student creations, and cutting-edge AI applications in education. A standout moment was the launch of the "National University Ideological and Political Education Intelligent Platform" and the "i Ideological and Political Large Model" (i思政大模型). These tools, developed by pilot universities like the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), integrate vast databases of textbooks, Marxist classics, and academic papers to deliver personalized ideological guidance.

Discussions delved into building network civilization, with panels on leveraging digital intelligence for cultural propagation. A new "Campus Network Civilization Initiative" was released, calling for universities to prioritize online safety, content moderation, and positive storytelling.

Officials' Visions: Speeches and Strategic Directions

Deputy Minister Xiong Sihuao emphasized the role of network culture in constructing an "education powerhouse." He highlighted how digital tools can enhance ideological work, making it more engaging for tech-savvy students. "Network culture is a frontline for cultivating newcomers of the era," he stated, urging deeper AI integration.

Yang Jianwen focused on governance, stressing the need for robust mechanisms to combat digital risks. He praised universities for producing over 100 million positive online interactions in recent years and called for expanded use of big data analytics to monitor and guide student behavior proactively.

Local leaders like Jie Dong committed Shanghai's support, positioning the city as a hub for innovative network education models. Tongji President Yang Jinlong showcased his university's initiatives, including AI-driven content platforms that have engaged 50,000+ students since 2024.

AI's Transformative Role in Ideological Education

A major focus was artificial intelligence's fusion with ideological-political education. The "i思政大模型," covering 10 core textbooks and 1,000+ journals with over 1 million Q&A pairs, enables chatbots for real-time moral queries, personalized learning paths, and sentiment analysis.

UESTC's demonstration included the "Chengdian 'Core' Partners" platform—a student co-built knowledge base—and the "Emotional Confession Tree Hole" for anonymous mental health support. Only 18 universities were invited to exhibit, underscoring national selectivity. This step-by-step process involves data ingestion from official sources, model training on value-aligned content, and deployment via apps, ensuring outputs reinforce core values while addressing student concerns like career stress or social harmony.

• Intelligent Q&A for instant ideological queries
• Learning analytics to track engagement
• Resource libraries for multimedia content
• Sentiment monitoring for early intervention

Challenges Facing University Students Online

Despite progress, challenges persist. Surveys indicate 28.89% of adolescents encounter violent content online historically, with university students facing amplified risks amid 91.6% internet penetration projected for 2026. Issues include excessive screen time—averaging 7+ hours daily—leading to addiction in 15-20% of cases, cyberbullying affecting 10%, and misinformation proliferation during elections or crises.

Cultural context: China's collectivist ethos demands online behavior reflect societal harmony. Regional disparities exist; urban universities like Tongji report better infrastructure, while rural institutions lag in digital supervision. The conference addressed these via scalable AI solutions and peer education models.

Real-World Impacts and Case Studies

The campaign's achievements are evident. Since inception, it has mobilized 30+ million student participants, generating 500,000+ works praised nationally. Tsinghua University, for example, reduced negative incidents by 40% through its network governance center. Tongji's own network culture festival awarded dozens of positive entries, fostering viral content like short videos on environmentalism.

Stakeholder views: Students appreciate interactive tools; one UESTC participant noted, "The AI model helped me navigate ethical dilemmas online." Faculty praise efficiency gains, while officials see it as vital for national security in cyberspace. Case study: During COVID-19, campus netizens produced 10,000+ supportive videos, boosting morale.

For deeper insights into UESTC's innovations, explore their official report.

Future Outlook: Building a Digital Education Powerhouse

Looking ahead, the initiative aligns with China's 14th Five-Year Plan, targeting full AI integration by 2030. Plans include expanding the i思政 model nationwide, training 1 million "netizen educators," and establishing 100 model campuses. Implications: Enhanced graduate quality, reduced social risks, and stronger cultural soft power.

Actionable insights for universities: Adopt hybrid supervision (AI + human), incentivize positive content creation via credits, and collaborate on platforms. For students: Practice digital hygiene—verify sources, respect privacy, contribute positively.

Photo by Raka Rahmadani on Unsplash

Stakeholder Perspectives and Broader Implications

From officials to students, consensus is strong. MOE data shows 90% of universities now have dedicated network culture offices. Internationally, it positions China as a leader in digital ethics education. Challenges like privacy in AI monitoring require balanced policies.

In Shanghai's context, Tongji's event leverages the city's tech ecosystem, partnering with firms for platform development. This model offers replicable steps: Assess needs, pilot AI tools, scale via national platforms, evaluate via metrics like engagement rates.