Western theories of deliberative democracy and the study of Chinese democratization tend to remain completely separate enterprises, to the detriment of both. Originating in Western societies such as America, England, and Australia, theories of deliberative democracy have largely ignored the experience of deliberation in China. The Anglo-American idea of deliberation is culturally narrow and insufficiently developed. China offers an important ground to explore the understanding of what deliberation can be in a totally different setting and makes a contribution to the understanding of deliberative institutions across the globe. This chapter calls for the integration of theories of deliberative democracy and Chinese practices of deliberation, with the aim of building a bridge between Western theories of deliberative democracy and the Chinese practices of participatory and deliberative institutions, to the ultimate benefit of both. 1 There are a number of questions that are not only debated in the West but are also extremely important for the project of developing deliberative democracy in China. What is an effective strategy of democratization? How can a substantial and deep democracy be developed? What is the role of the state in promoting deliberation? How can deliberation be reconciled with the value of equality or representation? How can deliberation solve collective problems? How can a specific deliberative institution overcome the problem of polarization? These questions are at the root of the deliberative democracy agenda, and are just as urgent in China.