By examining the beginning of the PM2.5 air quality campaign of 2011-2012, one of the major recent social mobilizations in China, this article analyzes how a new model of governance is taking place in China under the leadership of Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao. This model gives a certain political space to Chinese citizens, enabling them somehow to take part in the political decision-making process. This article aims to think about how and to what extent the consideration of public opinion by the government increases the pluralization of the political system. Analyses are based on interviews, microblogs, newspapers, associations and government websites.