The Impact of Narrative Reconstruction on Public Policy Approval

Last registered on May 21, 2025
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
The Impact of Narrative Reconstruction on Public Policy Approval
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0015988
Initial registration date
May 09, 2025

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
May 21, 2025, 12:00 PM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Country
China
Region
Guangdong Province

Primary Investigator

Name
yiying li
Affiliation
中国人民大学
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status
Completed
Start date
2023-08-31
End date
2024-12-31
Keywords
Other
Additional Keywords
Narrative Reconstruction, Policy Approval
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
This study focuses on the Mandarin-Cantonese intersection areas around Hong Kong, utilizing a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to systematically investigate the impact of native language policy promotion on policy acceptance and its underlying mechanisms. China is a multi-ethnic and multilingual country, with Cantonese being an important regional language widely spoken in Guangdong, Guangxi, and other areas, with approximately 90 million speakers. However, since the early 21st century, the implementation of Mandarin promotion policies has led to a gradual decline in Cantonese native speakers. Against this backdrop, the role of language in policy promotion warrants particular attention. Cantonese is not only a regional language but also a crucial symbol of cultural identity and emotional belonging for the people in Cantonese-speaking regions. Therefore, the choice of language in policy promotion may play a role beyond the mere content of communication, becoming a significant variable influencing policy acceptance. Our RCT investigated how political propaganda aimed at expanding administrative power affects Mandarin and Cantonese speakers. The study focused on the 2023 amendment to Article 34 of China's Public Security Administration Punishments Law, which introduced the crime of "wearing clothing that harms national feelings." The new legal provision is ambiguously defined and lacks clarity, which may significantly expand administrative powers.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
li, yiying. 2025. "The Impact of Narrative Reconstruction on Public Policy Approval." AEA RCT Registry. May 21. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.15988-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
The study focused on the 2023 amendment to Article 34 of China's Public Security Administration Punishments Law, which introduced the crime of "wearing clothing that harms national feelings." The new legal provision is ambiguously defined and lacks clarity, which may significantly expand administrative powers. In line with the policy rollout, the government released numerous promotional videos on platforms such as Douyin, predominantly using Mandarin. In our experiment, both native Mandarin speakers and native Cantonese speakers (who can also understand Mandarin) watched these policy promotion videos. We collected their feedback, emotional reactions, historical associations, and relevant background information through questionnaires.
Intervention (Hidden)
Intervention Start Date
2023-09-01
Intervention End Date
2024-06-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
The experimental results indicate that when policy promotion is conducted in the native language of the populace, whether it significantly enhances policy identification, reducing the likelihood of expressing opposition.

Additionally, whether it increases respondents' support for derivative policies related to the ordinance, such as expanding public surveillance to monitor attire, implementing a citizen reporting mechanism, and establishing cultural awareness days.

The role of narrative reconstruction in this process.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
In our field study, we randomly distributed questionnaires to 2,300 individuals in Cantonese-speaking areas, comprising both Mandarin and Cantonese native speakers. Participants were instructed to view a policy promotion video and subsequently fill out a questionnaire reflecting their perceptions.
The intervention videos were centered on nationalism concerning this revised ordinance, advocating support for the ordinance and preserving national sentiments. The videos were presented in Mandarin and Cantonese, with each language offering a "incendiary version" (harshly criticizing dissenters and branding them as national traitors) and a "moderate version" (using gentle language, merely supporting the ordinance). Consequently, there were four variations of intervention videos. Mandarin-speaking and Cantonese-speaking participants were randomly assigned to one of the four videos. Following the video intervention, participants were asked to proceed with the remaining experimental tasks, such as expressing opposition or support for the new ordinance. We repeatedly assured respondents of the survey's anonymity and stressed that it was conducted solely for scientific research purposes without any vested interests, to alleviate concerns about responding to politically sensitive issues.
Experimental Design Details
Randomization Method
Questionnaires are randomly distributed by field survey agencies, with intervention scenarios directly and randomly assigned by a computer system.
Randomization Unit
individual
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
almost 10 provinces
Sample size: planned number of observations
2300+ individuals
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
800 individuals control 1500 individuals treatment
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
IRB Approval Date
IRB Approval Number
Analysis Plan

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials