Searching the Chinese Internet: Advanced (Virtual Course)

Open enrolment and in-house options available

Our advanced course on the Chinese Internet is intended for professionals who want to enhance their ability to navigate the Chinese digital landscape. To begin, you will be shown how to access a broader range of sources, platforms and services. We will also demonstrate how to leverage Chinese AI tools to further enhance the collection and processing of Chinese language content. You will also gain hands-on experience with major Chinese social media and mobile ecosystems, including WeChat, Weibo and Douyin. Finally, we'll provide guidance on the use of mapping tools for locational research, and Chinese-language video hosting platforms. Participants wishing to join this course are advised to first complete our Foundations course on the Chinese internet.

View Dates and Register Request in-house course

Course Outline

Location-Based Searches

Location-Based Searches

  • “Proximity” as a search variable
  • Source availability
  • Content availability / visibility
  • Managing location-related content biases
  • Approaching search through the local user experience

Getting Closer

  • Working with VPNs
  • Data SIM tethering
  • Virtual numbers
  • Tool-related search implications
  • Tool-related risks and trade-offs

Secure Searching

  • Managing online attribution
  • Hardening your browser
  • Managing browser configurations
  • Isolating your digital footprint

Searching the Web with AI

Traditional vs. AI-Powered Search

  • Working with search operators
  • Working with natural language queries
  • Crafting your prompts
  • Searching with images
  • Optimising your Chinese search queries

Western AI Search Tools

  • Overview
  • Benefits and limitations
  • Case studies:
    • Google
    • DuckDuckGo
    • Perplexity

Chinese AI Search Tools

  • Overview
  • Benefits and limitations
  • Case studies:
    • Baidu AI
    • DeepSeek
    • Qwen
    • Seed

Verifying and Validating Your Search Results

  • Manual / expert-led verification
  • AI-enabled verification
  • Multi-source corroboration
  • Source authentication
  • Validating your results

Chinese Social Media and Smartphone Apps

Getting Started

  • The Chinese social media ecosystem
  • Account creation challenges
  • Phone, location and tool-based limitations

Working with Western Social Media

  • Working with Facebook
  • Working with Instagram
  • Working with Telegram
  • Working with LinkedIn

Working with Browser Friendly Chinese Social Media

  • Working with Xiaohongshu
  • Working with Weibo

Working with Mobile Friendly Social Media

  • Recap: working with emulators
  • Working with Weibo
  • Working with WeChat
  • Working with Xiaohongshu
  • Working with Douyin
  • Working with Tantan
  • Finding social media sources

Geolocation and Multimedia Search

Deciphering Chinese Addresses

  • Structure of an address in China
  • Translating English Address to Chinese address

Mapping services in China

  • Working with satellite imagery
  • Working with street view imagery
  • Working with 3D views

Chinese Video Platforms

  • Working with Chinese video hosting platforms
  • Working with Chinese livestreaming services
  • Translation and transcription tools
  • Leveraging AI for translation

Training Exercises

Exercises / Case Studies

  • Applying lessons learned through practical training exercises
View Dates and Register Request in-house course

Course Details

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

This course is intended for anyone conducting research on China and Chinese-speaking countries. This includes analysts, journalists and business professionals looking to track political and economic developments in Asia.

HOW YOU BENEFIT

On completion of this course, you will have the ability to:

  • Navigate the Chinese internet with greater confidence
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese language
  • Use generative AI to facilitate source and content discovery, translation and transliteration
  • Find people and explore topics of interest on social media
  • Leverage satellite imagery and mapping tools in support of your research

WHAT YOU RECEIVE

  • A certificate of completion
  • A full set of course slides / user guides in PDF
  • An index of recommended tools and resources
  • Six months of post-course support

COURSE FEE

EUR 1,300

COURSE PREREQUISITES

Participants wishing to join this course are advised to first complete our Foundations course on the Chinese internet.

Trainees do not need prior knowledge of the Chinese language; basic knowledge of the Internet suffices.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

To participate, you will need:

  • A Windows, Mac or Linux-based desktop or laptop computer
  • A Google / Gmail account
  • Google’s Chrome Browser
  • A mobile device with the Google Translate app installed

Additional requirements will be provided on registration.