Source: CNA
BEIJING: Microblogging is making its presence felt in China, even though authorities have blocked popular sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Apart from serving as a networking vehicle, microblogging has also help raised social awareness and much more.
One of these microbloggers is 24-year-old Sun Yijing, a self-confessed mircoblogging addict. She spends several hours a day updating her status, and swopping stories with friends and followers.
"I'm interested in music and I also follow the microblogs of music lovers and critics. I've gained lots of music-related information," said Miss Sun.
Like users on Facebook and Twitter, microbloggers can share photos and videos, record voicemail, follow famous personalities and leave comments.
In the past year, the number of microbloggers has exploded to some 100 million.
To be a microblogger in China, all one needs is an email address, a password, and a username or pseudonym, and they are all set. However during this year's National People's Congress, one delegate was so worried that microblogging can be used to spread rumors that she has suggested that real names be used before one can sign up as a microblogger.
Recently, microblogs were used to save children from trafficking and abuse. Microbloggers were urged to take photos of children begging on the streets, post them online, so as to help parents search for missing children.
Another microblogger, Pan Yunbo, said: "Microblogs have also helped raised funds for children suffering from dreaded illnesses as some of these posts for help get re-posted. This allows more people to know and help, including hospitals, and this is really a good thing."
There are about 457 million internet users in China, and the government has recently identified microblogging as powerful drivers of public opinion. That is why in recent months, many government departments and police at the local level set up microblogs to interact with and obtain feedback from the public.
Zhang Zuoli, a Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Delegate, said: "In the reconstruction of shanty dwellings, some local departments have turned to microblogging and other internet options to obtain opinion. Only when 80 or 90 per cent approval is given would the construction be carried out."
The highest ranking official to launch a personal microblog is Xinjiang party chief Zhang Chunxian.
Even though some have described the official moves as yet another online public relations stunt, others said that keeping such channels open is not a bad thing.
Like other forms of internet sites, microblogging is also subjected to control. In recent weeks, certain sensitive terms relating to the Middle East situation, and the Jasmine rallies, were blocked by the authorities.
This seems to be a clear sign that Beijing wants to strike a balance between tapping on the benefits, and avoiding the pitfalls, of new technology.
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BEIJING: Microblogging is making its presence felt in China, even though authorities have blocked popular sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Apart from serving as a networking vehicle, microblogging has also help raised social awareness and much more.
One of these microbloggers is 24-year-old Sun Yijing, a self-confessed mircoblogging addict. She spends several hours a day updating her status, and swopping stories with friends and followers.
"I'm interested in music and I also follow the microblogs of music lovers and critics. I've gained lots of music-related information," said Miss Sun.
Like users on Facebook and Twitter, microbloggers can share photos and videos, record voicemail, follow famous personalities and leave comments.
In the past year, the number of microbloggers has exploded to some 100 million.
To be a microblogger in China, all one needs is an email address, a password, and a username or pseudonym, and they are all set. However during this year's National People's Congress, one delegate was so worried that microblogging can be used to spread rumors that she has suggested that real names be used before one can sign up as a microblogger.
Recently, microblogs were used to save children from trafficking and abuse. Microbloggers were urged to take photos of children begging on the streets, post them online, so as to help parents search for missing children.
Another microblogger, Pan Yunbo, said: "Microblogs have also helped raised funds for children suffering from dreaded illnesses as some of these posts for help get re-posted. This allows more people to know and help, including hospitals, and this is really a good thing."
There are about 457 million internet users in China, and the government has recently identified microblogging as powerful drivers of public opinion. That is why in recent months, many government departments and police at the local level set up microblogs to interact with and obtain feedback from the public.
Zhang Zuoli, a Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Delegate, said: "In the reconstruction of shanty dwellings, some local departments have turned to microblogging and other internet options to obtain opinion. Only when 80 or 90 per cent approval is given would the construction be carried out."
The highest ranking official to launch a personal microblog is Xinjiang party chief Zhang Chunxian.
Even though some have described the official moves as yet another online public relations stunt, others said that keeping such channels open is not a bad thing.
Like other forms of internet sites, microblogging is also subjected to control. In recent weeks, certain sensitive terms relating to the Middle East situation, and the Jasmine rallies, were blocked by the authorities.
This seems to be a clear sign that Beijing wants to strike a balance between tapping on the benefits, and avoiding the pitfalls, of new technology.
