How can the Internet be used effectively in social governance at the county level?
如何有效将互联网与乡村治理结合起来？

In 2015, the State Council of the People's Republic of China issued "the Action Outline for Promoting the Development of Big Data", one objective of which is "to create a new mode of social governance with precise management and multi-dimensional cooperation". This action outline marks the commencement of the era of big data for China's social governance. This case presents one mode (i.e., "Xiangxianyanjiuhui", meaning Xiangxian Institute) as developed in Shangyu County of Shaoxing City in Zhejiang Province.
2015年，国务院印发了《大数据发展促进行动指南》，提出“打造精准管理和多方协作的社会治理新模式”。在此背景下，中国的社区治理也进入大数据时代。绍兴市上虞区“乡贤研究会”充分发挥互联网的优势，基于互联网和大数据推动乡贤参与社区治理，凝聚乡贤智慧，推动乡贤反哺家乡和社会，取得了良好的效果。

The institute has developed a mode of "Internet Plus Xiangxian Governance" in three ways. The first is the creation of an electronic database of "xiangxian" whose hometown is Shangyu County. The database is very comprehensive, including as many Shangyu "xiangxian" as can be found on the Internet. The second way is the creation of a WeChat group for those "xiangxian". Using this social media platform, "xiangxian" have pooled their knowledge and insights to offer policy recommendations, create opportunities of investment and business development, and promote the culture of their hometown. The third way is the creation of the official website of Xiangxian Institute in 2013. Since then, the website has become a major medium not only for sharing achievements of Shangyu xiangxian in ancient history, modern history, and present age, but also for facilitating and promoting communication among Shangyu xiangxian from around China.
“乡贤研究会”主要通过以下方式实现“互联网+乡贤治理”模式：第一，建立电子化上虞籍乡贤资料库。基于大数据时代信息的关联性，运用各种手段寻找在全国各地的上虞籍乡贤，广泛收集信息，形成最大规模、最全面的乡贤资料库。第二，建立微信交流群。通过微信交流群集合乡贤智慧，向政府部门献言献计，为企业招商引资，传播上虞文化。第三，建立网络宣传平台。该研究会于2013年建立了上虞市乡贤研究会网站，通过“贤哲流芳”介绍上虞古代、近代和现代乡贤，宣传乡贤的先进事迹；“乡亲互动”、“乡贤论坛”模块为乡贤交流互动搭建了重要网络平台，有效推动了乡贤之间的交流互鉴。

Two lessons regarding social governance can be learned from the success of "Xiangxian Institute". First, policy makers and practitioners should raise their awareness of the importance of "xiangxian", particularly their expertise, to social governance. Second, modern technologies should be leveraged for "xiangxian" to participate in social governance. For example, the Internet can be used to create platforms on which "xiangxian" may communicate with stakeholders of social governance efficiently and effectively. Various media such as WeChat public accounts, Weibo, and TikTok can also be used to increase the influence of "xiangxian" in social governance.
“乡贤研究会”可以给我们提供以下借鉴。第一，要充分发挥乡贤的作用，发挥乡贤的专业力量，充分认识到乡贤在社会治理中的作用。第二，充分利用现代科技技术，结合大数据背景，使用互联网技术为建立乡贤沟通的线上平台；使用网页、微信公众号、微博、抖音等多种网络形式宣传乡贤事迹，扩大乡贤影响力。