ABSTRACT
In recent years, China has witnessed the development of consultative and deliberative institutions.2 An increasing number of public hearings have provided people with opportunities to express their opinions on a wide range of issues such as the price of water and electricity, park entry fees, the relocation of farmers, the conservation of historical landmarks, and even the relocation of the famous Beijing Zoo, to name a few.3 Participatory and deliberative institutions in China can be seen as a deliberative way of democratising China, and they are helping to develop deliberative Chinese citizens.4 As T.V. Smith and Eduard C. Lindeman pointed out, “Genuine consent, a vital ingredient of the democratic way of life, is the end-product of discussion or conference. Citizens of democratic societies are equipped for their role when they have acquired the skills and the arts of conferring.”5
