Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
China tries microblogging top political event
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
China tries microblogging top political event
By CARA ANNA,Associated Press Writer -
Wednesday, March 10
Send
IM Story
Print
BEIJING – So this is how you get through China's biggest political event of the year: "Sit still, stare toward the front, pretend like you're looking but you're really not, pretend like you're listening but you're really not ... make your brain blank."
As delegates to the National People's Congress dip into the world of Twitter-like microblogging, the Chinese public is getting a rare glimpse inside the workings, and nonworkings, of power.
For the first time, some of the almost 3,000 delegates are posting brief online messages from behind the scenes as they shuttle between vast, largely immobile meetings and their hotels, sealed off from the public with police tape.
China's political workings are so controlled and opaque that some Chinese don't know who their delegates are. But some representatives are now being scrutinized, sucked into chats with netizens and even breaking news on the social network, where anyone can post notes of up to 140 characters and choose which people to "follow," or get updates from.
"Beauty Fashion" magazine publisher Zhang Xiaomei is a member of the NPC's sister advisory congress, also now meeting in Beijing. People digging into her microblog posts before the session started discovered her advice, above, on surviving meetings.
"When people in the meeting talk on and on, you can take the chance to make your mind and body more healthy," she wrote. "The longer the meeting is, the more you benefit."
But Zhang also posted a tidbit that Chinese state media picked up and shot through the online world.
"When delegates show up, they get a laptop computer. What's different this year is that they don't have to be returned when we're done," she wrote.
The offhand comment quickly turned into an investigation. Media and netizens estimated that free laptops for Zhang and her more than 2,000 colleagues would cost Chinese taxpayers about 10 million yuan (almost $1.5 million).
Angry editorials and blog posts about the need for clean government soon followed.
The microblogging experiment is the latest hesitant step for China, where the central government wants to stay on top of new technology but guide the message as well.
Twitter is blocked in China, and two popular China-based clones this month said they had shut down for good. The delegates are using a service by Internet portal operator Sina Corp., with the apparent blessing of the government.
"Microblogs meet the practicable needs of the masses and are in tune with the times of opposing cliches and nonsense," the Web site of the ruling Communist Party intoned last week.
Now the delegates just need to learn how to use them.
Ye Qing, the deputy director of the statistics bureau in the central province of Hubei, has seemed a bit rattled. When he mentioned his delegation would take photos with central government leaders, more than 50 responses blasted him, saying he was being paid to do more than that.
"These criticisms are reasonable," Ye replied. Other comments pointed out he had more than 24,000 followers but was following just two people.
"I only know what 'following' is after seeing these comments," Ye said. "I'm inexperienced. Sorry!"
Some have used the tool to push, 140 characters at a time, for reform.
Wang Dewei, a professor and a delegate from the eastern province of Shandong, microblogged about his proposal that government officials disclose their personal assets.
More than 50 other delegates signed the proposal, he said _ a grouping almost certain to draw attention in China, where officials suspect anything that might be seen as a collective challenge.
Some of the signees were scared, saying, "If I speak too much for ordinary people, they might not make me a delegate again," Wang wrote.
The microblogging experiment might raise unrealistic expectations that delegates will become permanently more accessible, said Yiyi Lu, a Chinese politics expert and research fellow at the University of Nottingham.
"Once you start, you naturally have the demand that it be a regular thing," said Lu, who herself comes from Beijing but can't name a single delegate. "This raises expectations. And people who aren't doing it, others will ask, 'Well, why aren't you?'"
___
Associated Press researchers Xi Yue and Yu Bing contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Bangladesh urged to repair destroyed embankments AP - Wednesday, March 10
Thailand imposes tough security law for Thaksin protests AFP - Wednesday, March 10
Gates walks town that was a 'no-go zone' weeks ago AP - Wednesday, March 10
Skater's gaffe highlights politics of China sports AP - Wednesday, March 10
China tries microblogging top political event AP - Wednesday, March 10
News Search
Top Stories
WHO unveils landmark anti-malaria measures
Greece heads for further general strike
Cindy Crawford blackmailer jailed in Germany
US pledges 'unvarnished' commitment to Israel security
Military plane problems drag EADS into the red
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
World's biggest oil trader ends supplies to Iran: company
Chile quake moved entire city 3 meters to west: study
HIV among newborns could be 'eradicated by 2015'
N.Korea says ready for dialogue and war with US
Boeing sole air tanker bidder as competitors exit
More Most Viewed »
Chile quake moved Earth's axis, shortened days: scientist
Experts confirm asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs
Florida killer whale to stay in park after deadly attack
Common weed-killer chemically castrates frogs: study
Australia police search anti-whaler ship at Japan request
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 Israel okays settlement homes as Mideast talks resume
Seven held in Ireland over Swedish cartoonist 'plot': police
Dell cuts 10 percent of staff at Taiwan R&D centre: report
Baghdad holds key as Iraq awaits initial vote results
Cisco unveils system for super-fast Internet
Kenyan-flagged fishing boat hijacked off Somalia
Clinton says elections key to Haiti stability
|
WHO unveils landmark anti-malaria measures
U.S. considers some free wireless broadband service
Princess Caroline's German husband fined for assault
Two NATO soldiers killed in eastern Afghanistan
|
Greece heads for further general strike
Cindy Crawford blackmailer jailed in Germany
Vatican says wrong to single out Church over abuse
|
Crash Victim: God Sent Angels To Rescue Me
Greek public, private sector clash over austerity
|
Microsoft Researcher Wins Prestigious Computing Award
Dick's Sporting Goods Swings To Q4 Profit, Tops Estimates
U.S. apologizes to Libya for dismissive comments
|
OK Go Announce Spring Tour Dates
U.S. Airlines Improve On-Time Performance In January
Correspondents Share Close Encounters Of War Kind
Oklahoma Twister Destroys 5 Houses, Downs Power Lines
Edgar Wayburn, Conservationist, Dies At 103
Family of slain U.S. activist sues Israel
|
Hawaiians Unharmed After Jolt By 4.4-Magnitude Quake
N.Ireland backs transfer of key powers despite row
Survey: Only 16 Percent Of Americans Confident In Ability To Retire
Bangladesh urged to repair destroyed embankments
Thailand imposes tough security law for Thaksin protests
Gates walks town that was a 'no-go zone' weeks ago
Skater's gaffe highlights politics of China sports
Russia urges Sweden to extradite Chechen bandits
|
China tries microblogging top political event
Japanese bug to wage war on weeds in Britain
China rejects reform calls but rhetoric softens
China endorses Copenhagen climate accord
China accuses Dalai Lama as Tibet anniversary looms
Belfast votes in favor of police, justice transfer
|
Japan lifts lid on Cold War nuclear pacts with US
Malaysia eyes growth in palm oil exports for 2010
India's Tata Motors shares slide on Daimler's exit
Officials: Bali bombing mastermind may be dead
Cisco says new router 12 times faster than rivals'
|
NFL signs mobile phone deal with Verizon Wireless
|
U.S. considers some free wireless broadband service
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Lindsay Lohan sues over "milkaholic" E*Trade ad
Russians face backlash in India's Goa
Power symbol wins NY condom design contest
Tobacco group's art collection fetches record price
Sony to roll out 3D TVs in Japan in June
A stitch in time while doing time in Britain
Shows with gays could lose Florida tax credit
NY seeks 'fat tax' on sodas to fight rising US obesity
Cliff Richard turns to jazz to mark 70th birthday
Accused Letterman extortionist pleads guilty
|
Israeli general says "all options" needed on Iran
UK PM Brown warns of bumpy economic road ahead
|
"Logorama" duo take aim at "Ghost Recon" videogame
Snow snarls traffic, strands thousands in southern Europe
Biden condemns new Israel settlement plan
MySpace readies site overhaul to rekindle growth
UK's Miliband urges push for Afghan peace deal
|
U.S. raises concern about Iranian "dictatorship"
Freak snowfalls strand 6,000 on Franco-Spanish border
LG Elec launches Android-based smartphone
A third of world's jailed journalists in Iran
Bomber's death deals fresh blow to Indonesia militants
|
'IMF' for Europe a distracting sideshow: experts
U.S. weighing China Internet censorship case
Israeli general says all options needed on Iran
|
US lawmakers seek action on Internet freedom
Hackers target freshly uncovered Internet Explorer hole
Greek PM: Obama 'positive' on speculator battle
Belgian newspaper issues 3D edition
Researchers back cancer-fighting properties of papaya
Abu Dhabi is future base for News Corp: Murdoch
U.N. sees no security vacuum as U.S. troops exit Haiti
|
LG Elec launches Android-based smartphone
India's Congress faces turmoil over women's bill
|
U.S. kept Britain in dark over torture: ex spy chief
|
Obama Seeks More Small Business Loans for Low-Income Communities
Chinese group files complaint over faulty HP laptops
|
PETA Pulls High-Flying Stunt; Seahttp://newsbahn.com/?rm=edit;type=Article;id=10024265#World Pushes Back
MySpace readies site overhaul to rekindle growth
|
EPA Administrator Jackson Predicts Congress Passing Cap-Trade Bill
Cisco Unveils New Router, Said To Have Triple The Capacity
U.S. weighing China Internet censorship case
|
Hong Kong killer of Thai visitor gets life term
U.S. Markets Post Modest Gains Despite Sell Off In Commodity Stocks
St Jude Researchers Investigate Role Of Nutrition On Dengue Fever
Logorama duo take aim at Ghost Recon videogame
|
Report: NKorea to replace top diplomat in Geneva
Pennsylvania Woman Known As "Jihad Jane" Indicted On Terrorism Charges
Indonesian leader vows to hunt terrorists
Bride-To-Be Calls In Backup In Bridal Shop Dispute
'JihadJane' recruited for Europe, SAsia terror attacks: US
32 killed in series of road crashes in Philippines
Study Finds Abused Children Likely To Suffer Gastrointestinal Ailments
Clinton, Preval urge quick Haiti elections
Bali bombing suspect killed: Indonesia president
Woman Survives Gator Chomp On Park Trail
Aung San Suu Kyi to be barred from party and polls
Cable group wants U.S. FCC to end fee disputes
|
China to boost food safety measures after scandal
Indonesia confirms Bali bomber killed
Haitians wary of US military reduction
US 'JihadJane' arrested for terror recruiting
Biden slams Israel settlement plan
Indonesia, Australia pledge on people smuggling
LG Elec launches Android-based smartphone
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Bigelow's Oscars will change Hollywood, slowly
Japan machinery orders fall in January
Cathay Pacific returns to full-year profit
China auto sales reach 1.2 million in February
Hollywood buzzing as Oscars catwalk begins
China February exports jump 45.7 percent
S.Korea seen buying dlrs to check won -traders
John Krasinski joins "Something" romantic comedies
Simon & Garfunkel begin Canada trek next month
De Niro signs up to play football icon Lombardi
Rapper DMX arrested for violating probation
Accused Letterman extortionist pleads guilty
Bigelow's Oscars will change Hollywood, slowly
China exports rebound extends into February
PAKISTAN
Number of US millionaires up 16 percent in 2009: study
US Iraq commander likes 'Hurt Locker'
Soaring China home prices thwart ordinary buyers
Korea Hot Stocks
Men likelier than women to enjoy sex in old age
De Niro set to portray coaching legend Vince Lombardi
Japan machinery orders fall 3.7 percent in January
Indonesia, Australia agree on asylum seeker plan
Officials: Bali bombing mastermind may be dead
Bride-To-Be Calls In Backup In Bridal Shop Dispute
Dozen 17th,18th Century Shipwrecks Found In Baltic Sea
Correspondents Share Close Encounters Of War Kind
Argentinean Grandma To Face Charges For Growing Two Marijuana Plants
Bigelow's Oscars will change Hollywood, slowly
|
Accused Letterman extortionist pleads guilty
|
De Niro signs up to play football icon Lombardi
|
Charlie Sheen returning to work next Tuesday
|
Rapper DMX arrested for violating probation
|
John Krasinski joins Something romantic comedies
|
Simon & Garfunkel begin Canada trek next month
|
US-TECH Summary
Iran's Ahmadinejad in Afghanistan, Gates departs
Google opens virtual shop for business software
Retaliation fears stalk Nigeria city after clashes
|
Car bomb kills five in eastern Afghanistan: police
UN chief 'condemns' Israeli settlement plan
Chinese group file complaint over faulty HP laptops
Suicide attack kills NATO soldiers in Afghanistan
Chavez trusts God and nature in power crisis
|
Disney Ends Give A Day, Get A Day Promo
Obama effect boosts Nobel Peace Prize nominations
|
Ahmadinejad, Gates trade barbs in Afghanistan
|
Gunmen kill 6 in Western aid agency raid in Pakistan
|
Chinese group file complaint over faulty HP laptops
Libya accepts U.S. apology over diplomatic row
|
Head of Egypt's al-Azhar dies in Saudi Arabia: report
|
Gunmen storm US charity in Pakistan, killing 6
Japan baby-robot teaches parenting skills
British ex-spy chief accuses US of hiding torture
New Caledonia taps Australia for reef protection
Security tight in Tibet on uprising anniversary
Tibet security tight for anniversary: residents
"Lost Boy" Haim Found Dead From Drug Overdose
Gourmet diners 'may spell extinction' for sea turtle
Polls Find Rubio In Nearly Insurmountable Lead For Senate
Disney Ends Give A Day, Get A Day Promo
'Miracle' baby elephant cheats death in birth
Man Pleads Guilty To Kiss Causing Airport Security Breach
IBM, universities target easy-to-use cellphones
|
"Last Tree" Not Payment Enough To Keep Man Out Of Jail
Gates checks out Afghan army training exercises
Trade Chief Kirk Notes Google-China Tug Of War, Commits On Doha Round
Members Of Right-To-Die Group Indicted
Gabourey Sidibe Lands Showtime "The Big C" Gig
Study: Obesity Associated With Higher Risk Of Death From Colon Cancer
Researchers Discover Men Die Sooner, But Remain Sexually Active Longer Than Women
Pakistani o/n rates lower; rupee, stocks flat
China's exporters fret over labour shortage
GM Daewoo vows to return to black this year
AIG could learn fate of Taiwan unit deal soon
Philippine exports fastest rise in 15 years
China World Cup mascot factory defends itself
Bold new Gaza play skewers Fatah and Hamas
FACTBOX-S.Korea policymakers' comments on economy, policy
At evolution exhibit, US creationists are unswayed
Curious whales give boost to Mexican fishermen
Charlie Sheen returning to work next Tuesday
Corey Haim dies of overdose
|
Phantom sequel a shadow of the original
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights