SPPM of Tsinghua University has been working to realize the seamless docking between class teaching and innovation as well as the effective combination between theory and practice, which is of great significance for both teachers and students in public policy and management. It takes full advantage of specific cases in the class, through which students can have a better understanding about diversity and complexity of China’s national conditions as well as particularity of Chinese issues, thus training their abilities to uphold an open concept on governance, make scientific decisions and figure out innovative solutions. SPPM is also a pioneer in setting up a professional institution for case development in 2004---China Case Center for Public Policy&Management (CCCPPM).Eleven years witnesses the rapid development of CCCPPM.CCCPPM has established its own case database containing a large number of indigenous, time-effective and representative cases which contribute a lot for more than 600 public policy schools. Apart from Chinese cases, CCCPPM has also developed a great many English and multiple case, which can all be found on the center’s website (www.chinacases.cn). These real and live cases help establish a problem-oriented and critical-thinking teaching model and cultivate high-quality talents of public administration.
The era of ‘Internet plus’ poses new challenges to education of public administration. SPPM has been working to expand and deepen its case teaching with a close eye on cases of reform and innovation. Through strict selection, SPPM decided to develop the typical case of Shanghai WeChat Platform of ‘City Service’. This case aims at improving students’ comprehension of the impact of ‘Internet Plus’ on public sectors, encouraging public servants to break traditional thinking model, attach great importance to new media, and make the best of Internet to improve its governance, efficiency, competitiveness and public service, which embodies School’s distinguished features in MPA education.
As one of the pioneering cities to promote smart cities in China, the municipal government of Shanghai has been pushing forward the establishment of future-oriented Smart cities featuring digitalization, networking and intelligence. Vigorously pushed by ‘Da Shen Network’ of Tencent Company, Shanghai WeChat platform of ‘City Service’ was officially opened on Apr 7,2015.Residents in Shanghai can simply enter ‘City Service’ through WeChat Wallet ,then they can enjoy 14 services such as making an appointment for hospital, checking weather forecast, ordering for validating the car, checking traffic violation, paying the charge of water, electricity and gas, applying for visa, checking property tax, searching for libraries and appraising bills, etc. The greatest meaning of the WeChat platform of ‘City Service’ lies in upgrading offline public service provided by government sectors and public institutions into mobile terminal, through which Shanghai citizens can directly receive public service and Shanghai can finally realize ‘one inlet, many service’. By providing such service as fixing location, subscribing physical examination, handling business, online paying, checking schedule and making appraisement or complaint, Shanghai government can realize whole-flow, closed-loop terminal service, thus rendering her residents’ access to all service provided by the government whenever and wherever possible, which has become a model for governments in China to improve people’ livelihood through Internet.
In order to make a further investigation about the development and practical effects of this WeChat Platform, and then to develop this case for case teaching, a research team from SPPM, which was composed of Associate Professor Zhangnan, Director Mu Ling of China Case Center , Luoying from MPA, Teacher Wu Yanjun, and postgraduate students Chen Xueyan and Xie Ruixiang from SPPM, went to Shanghai for an on-the-spot investigation on July13-15,2015,during which they had in-depth conversations with heads from Shanghai government departments and Tencent Company.
On the afternoon of July 13, the research team had a panel discussion with Sunou, Deputy Director of Publicity Division of Shanghai Public Security Bureau and others in charge of this WeChat Platform. The team, for one thing, focused on two key areas of entry and exit control and traffic control. For another, it held in-depth exchanges with front-line staff about the significance of WeChat Platform on improving governance.
On the morning of July14, the research team held a discussion with Mi Weihong, Deputy Director of Meteorological Science and Technology Service Center of Meteorological Bureau and his team. Mr. Mi gave a detailed introduction of development history and specific functions of WeChat Public Number of ‘Shanghai Weather’ as well as his opinions on information disclosure from government in the Age of Big Data. After the discussion, the research group had a site tour to the center.
On the morning of July14, the research team held a discussion with Mi Weihong, Deputy Director of Meteorological Science and Technology Service Center of Meteorological Bureau and his team. Mr. Mi gave a detailed introduction of development history and specific functions of WeChat Public Number of ‘Shanghai Weather’ as well as his opinions on information disclosure from government in the Age of Big Data. After the discussion, the research group had a site tour to the center.
On the afternoon of July 14, the research group went to Shanghai municipal government and also held talks with Ding Limin, chief of office of ‘Shanghai Release’. According to Mr.Ding, apart from integrating many function service just like the WeChat Platform of ‘City Service’, the WeChat public number of ‘Shanghai Release’ emphasizes more on release of information. Through the talks, the research group also got a better understanding of challenges and difficulties facing WeChat Platform on government affairs.
On the morning of July 15, the research group held talks with Zhu Liqing, the head of Shanghai Tax Bureau, through which the group better understood the service orientation of Shanghai Tax Bureau on publishing government affairs through Website, Microblog and WeChat and at the same time had meaningful discussions about release of government information and third party cooperation mechanism and relevant issues concerning WeChat Platform.
On the morning of July16, the research group held conversation with Yin Ting, Director of government–media cooperation of ‘Da Shen Network’ of Tencent. Director Yin represented her opinions on the role, impact and the development trend of WeChat Platform in public service and exchanged her views on challenges lying behind WeChat Platform.
This investigation was quite successful in providing a great quantity of material for developing case of WeChat Platform of ‘City Service’, obtaining a deep understanding of usage of WeChat by government departments, the operation of WeChat Service of ‘City Service’, its achievements as well as difficulties, and the model of cooperation between Shanghai government and Tencent Company, which all laid a solid foundation for case writing and study in the future.
