Thus far, the PRC government has managed to promote the development of the Internet for its economic benefits, while maintaining enough control over online information to prevent the collapse of the political regime. Simple predictions of whether the Internet will spark political transformation in China ignore the complex, unfolding dynamics between social forces and government control. While the long-term effects of the Internet on Chinese society are still difficult to assess, these emerging patterns of online interaction underline how information technology has already helped expand freedom of expression and broaden the public discourse under the authoritarian regime. As new technologies spread throughout the population, and as online civil society develops and matures, the Internet will play an increasingly powerful role, catalyzing greater changes toward a more open and democratic China.