The hidden lives behind China’s great Internet firewall

The country’s tightly controlled digital ecosystem is replete with human stories and acts of subtle resistance.

Chris Stokel-Walker
1. Chris Stokel-Walker is a freelance journalist in Newcastle, UK.
View author publications

Search author on: PubMed Google Scholar

The Wall Dancers: Searching for Freedom and Connection on the Chinese Internet Yi-Ling Liu Alfred A. Knopf (2026)

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Learn more

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Nature 651, 30-31 (2026)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00664-z

The author declares no competing interests.

Global Recruitment for Faculty, Postdocs, and Specialists at Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, CAS

Seeking exceptional Senior/Junior PIs, Postdocs, and Core Specialists globally year-round

Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou Institute of Medicine Chinese Academy of Sciences (HIMCAS)
Multiple Positions Open in The Stomatology Hospital，Zhejiang University School of Medicine

Hangzhou, Zhejiang (CN)

The Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine(ZJUSS)
Chief Architect - High Performance Computing and Data Science

Leads DSU’s High Performance Computing and Data Science, enabling scalable AI, big data, and scientific computing across all CoE.

Bangalore (Locality), Karnataka (IN)

Dayananda Sagar University Bengaluru
Chief Architect - Robotics and Embodied AI

Leads Robotics and Embodied AI, building reasoning-driven robots using large-scale reinforcement learning and sim-to-real intelligence.

Bangalore (Locality), Karnataka (IN)

Dayananda Sagar University Bengaluru
Chief Architect- Spatial Computing (AR/VR/XR)

Drive excellence in Spatial Computing (AR/VR/XR), building XR platforms, neural rendering, & digital twins for industry, healthcare, & education.

Bangalore (Locality), Karnataka (IN)

Dayananda Sagar University Bengaluru