Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
China lawmakers test out microblogging
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
China lawmakers test out microblogging
AFP - Friday, March 12
Send
IM Story
Print
Chinese delegates attend during a plenary session of the National People's Congress inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Social media sites are catching fire in China, which has the world's largest online population of more than 380 million users -- but only if they are homegrown.
Slideshow: Full Photo Coverage: Internet Portals & Search Engines
BEIJING (AFP) - – Mao Zedong may have used paintbrush and ink to write classic poems in calligraphy, but his grandson is firmly in the 21st century -- micro-blogging by laptop from China's annual session of parliament.
Mao Xinyu, who was swamped by curious journalists as the National People's Congress convened last Friday, is offering an easier way to learn what he's thinking -- in 140 characters or less.
The heavy-set 40-year-old senior colonel is now one of the star users of "Renmin Weibo", a social networking platform opened by the People's Daily, the ruling Communist Party's mouthpiece newspaper.
"I really want to have a frequent exchange with as many Internet users as possible," he wrote.
Social media sites are catching fire in China, which has the world's largest online population of more than 380 million users -- but only if they are homegrown.
Twitter and Facebook have been blocked for months in the country.
Mao, a researcher at China's Academy of Military Sciences, is a delegate to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a body that in theory "advises" the main National People's Congress on political matters.
Like the more than 2,000 other CPPCC members -- including film director Zhang Yimou and former Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang -- Mao was given a free Lenovo laptop to use throughout the session and then keep for himself.
So far, he has only posted three blog entries, including the one above and another to plug an interview he gave to an army television network.
But he won more than 900 followers in four days and all kinds of comments, from the most cutting -- "Lose some weight, the body is the main capital for the revolution!" -- to the most flattering -- "The Chinese people will never forget Chairman Mao. We are also interested in you, with the hope that you are well and happy!"
Other lawmakers and CPPCC delegates have been more active on the web.
Ye Qing, a finance professor and NPC member from the central province of Hubei, opened a micro-blogging account on "Sina Weibo", hosted by sina.com, one of China's most popular Internet portals.
"It's simpler and easier than a regular blog. You can send entries with a mobile phone -- you can express your opinions at any given moment of the day and receive those of your fans," said Ye, who has more than 35,000 followers.
The lawmaker has given his impressions about the sessions in the Great Hall of the People, explained legal drafts he has presented and commented on the proposals made by others at the 10-day session.
This year, he suggested a law that would protect new property buyers who are falling victim to the mountain of debt they are using to pay for their homes -- known in Chinese as 'apartment slaves'.
"From a professional point of view, micro-blogging allows people to expand their horizons, and gather new ideas -- it's very useful when one sits down to write a law proposal," said Ye.
Of course, lawmakers are not immune to the tight policing of the Internet by an army of government censors -- their microblog entries are inoffensive, in keeping with a NPC that rubber-stamps decisions by the ruling Communist Party.
And high-profile artist-activist Ai Weiwei, who has been demanding more transparency over why so many schools collapsed in the massive Sichuan earthquake in May 2008, on Tuesday saw his micro-blog on sina.com shut down.
Twitter was shut down in China last July, after deadly ethnic unrest rocked the western region of Xinjiang, as authorities accused the perpetrators of using the Internet and mobile phones to organise themselves.
Reflecting the central government's concerns about the people power of the Internet, several lawmakers have proposed laws that would boost restrictions on its use.
Shen Changfu, an NPC delegate from the massive Chongqing municipality in the southwest, put forth a draft that would limit online gaming to weekends only and to bar web users from all sorts of expressions perceived as vulgar.
That proposal earned nothing but scorn in China's chat forums.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Media need multiple platforms, revenue streams to thrive AFP - Friday, March 12
Over 170 Chinese consumers file complaints on HP laptops AFP - Friday, March 12
China lawmakers test out microblogging AFP - Friday, March 12
Cyber-attack shut 150 Montenegrin websites AFP - Friday, March 12
US-TECH Summary Reuters - Friday, March 12
News Search
Top Stories
Lithuania commemorates split that doomed Soviet Union
Stolen Swiss bank data at HSBC hits 24,000 clients
Lithuania marks landmark 1990 split that doomed Soviet Union
Mexican Carlos Slim world's richest in new ranking
BP wins foothold in Brazil with $7 bln deal
More Top Stories »
Related Full Coverage
Internet Portals & Search EnginesLatest development in the online world
All Full Coverage »
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
'Britain's Fritzl' raped daughters for over 25yrs
Mexican Carlos Slim world's richest in new ranking
US honors first women Air Force pilots
California outlet accused of serving whale sushi
Researchers back cancer-fighting properties of papaya
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 Friday, 12 March 2010 Iraq PM in tight contest with ex-premier for poll lead
Stolen Swiss bank data at HSBC hits 24,000 clients
Maliki leads vote count in two mainly Shiite provinces
Media need multiple platforms, revenue streams to thrive
Sweden to extradite ex neo-Nazi for Auschwitz theft
Over 170 Chinese consumers file complaints on HP laptops
China lawmakers test out microblogging
Cyber-attack shut 150 Montenegrin websites
U.S. human rights report hits China, Iran
|
Over 170 Chinese consumers file complaints on HP laptops
China lawmakers test out microblogging
China rights record worsening in areas: US
Turkey recalls envoy to Sweden over Armenia vote
|
Lithuania marks landmark 1990 split that doomed Soviet Union
New York Man New King of "Kong"
Colombian rebels give hostage handover coordinates
|
Club-Goer Calls 911 After Cops Confiscate Keys
China rights record worsening in areas: US
Australia face Germany in World Cup final
Two kidnapped foreign aid workers freed in Haiti
|
Kenya thanks Japan prince for climate support
Senator Dodd To Release Own Financial Reform Package
Thailand braces for anti-government protest
Dutch nurses: Care does not include sex
|
Japan set to arrest anti-whaling activist: reports
Sout Africa may face power cuts without loan
|
Cambodian MPs approve long-awaited corruption law
U.S. Expresses Disappointment In Myanmar Election Laws
Myanmar's Suu Kyi calls for united response to 'unjust' law
China steps up security crackdown in Tibet
U.S. Trade Deficit Shrinks In January
Meningitis Claims Life Of Oklahoma Student
Samsung unveils world's first 3-D LED TV sets
McDonnell Issues Directive Reversing Attorney General's Letter On Gay Discrimination
Prosecutor Asks Public For IDs To Hundreds Of Photos By Serial Killer
Malaysia studying new regional trade pact with US
China's February inflation accelerates
Myanmar's Suu Kyi denounces new election laws
3rd Tokyo airport opens to fanfare and criticism
Indonesia arrests 2 Malaysians on $10M drug haul
"American Idol" Alum Scott MacIntyre Pulls "Heartstrings" On New Album
Italian Police, FBI Nab 27 Suspects In Trans-Atlantic Mafia Sweep
Sony unveils motion-sensing controller for PS3 consoles
Mexico women to wed in first for Latin America
Life's no beach for Greece's crisis-hit tourism sector
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Briton tells of torture during Iraq kidnap ordeal
Venezuela-bound ETA suspect held in Portugal
FCC releases Internet speed test tool
Iraq results trickle out, Maliki rivals cry fraud
|
Biden appeals for Mideast peace talks without delay
Web will be 'critical' revenue source for Times: publisher
Iraq results trickle out, Maliki rivals cry fraud
Battle for human rights increasingly fought on Internet: US
Witness: Battlefield dead haunt U.S. Marines and Afghans alike
|
Rights group puts Australia on Internet watchlist
Text message erasing application goes international
Cabinet shake-up tests Taiwan's pro-China president
|
Conan O'Brien Officially Announces 32-City Tour
Second Season Of Starz Comedy "Party Down" Premieres In April
"Food Wars" Heads To Kansas To Settle Fried Chicken Feud
Congress Closer To Health Care Reform But Snags On Abortion
Salary Unchanged, Buffett Takes Home $100,000 For 29th Year
Gulf State Airlines Shine in Global Passenger Survey
Pacific Sunwear Reports Larger Q4 Loss On Falling Sales
Climate change pushing bird species 'towards extinction:' US
U.S. Markets Press 2010 Highs As Banks Rally
Lithuania commemorates split that doomed Soviet Union
Obama Faith Initiative Recommends Reforms For Bush Era Funding Office
Australian navy faces inquiry in alleged sex ring
Obama Nobel Peace Prize Money Goes To Minority Organizations
Fed. appeals court upholds 'under God' in pledge
Lesbian teen in prom flap sues, returns to school
Israel seeks to patch up row over settlement plans
U.S. raises rights concerns in Russian North Caucasus
Roads to protect Angkor from fires
Saudi, UAE ready to press China on Iran sanctions: US
U.S. human rights report hits China, Iran
Mexico's first gay couples wed under landmark law
|
Tibetan protesters jailed without trial in Nepal
NGOs in China say threatened by new donor rules
Torture, abuse mark Uzbekistan's rights record: U.S.
|
Indonesian police kill 2 suspected militants
Cabinet shake-up tests Taiwan's pro-China president
Seoul shares rise; Asiana losses cap gains
Thai protesters start bid to topple government
S.Korea may appoint new c.bank head in late March
Taiwan minister resigns over death penalty row
China condemned for denying visa to HIV+ writer
Somali tied to Islamists worked with two U.N. agencies
|
Indonesian police say 2 suspected militants killed
Air China to raise over $950 mln in share issue
Hyundai chairman's son gets seat on the board
Lenovo says business will focus on mobile Internet
Japan PM calls for 'firm steps' against strong yen
PAKISTAN
Club-Goer Calls 911 After Cops Confiscate Keys
Seoul shares up on techs; China caution weighs
Skydiver Survives 3,000-Foot Freefall With Minor Injuries
Providence Police Force Threatens To Sue Mayor Over Random Drug Tests
Korea Hot Stocks-Samsung Card up on Samsung Life IPO approval
Baby Elephant's Live Birth Surprises Australian Zoo Officials
S.Korea KOGAS Feb LNG sales up 26 pct on year
Nude Burglar Just Needed Place To Sleep
Romania Town Puts Up 'Drunk Pedestrian' Traffic Signs
"Last Tree" Not Payment Enough To Keep Man Out Of Jail
Heli-skiing back in Kashmir as violence dips
Fox mulling "Avatar" summer re-release
FCC releases Internet speed test tool
|
"Matrix" bad guy eyes "Captain America" villain
Sequels, reboots bring sizzle to summer box office
Slain Islamist militant leader buried in Indonesia
"Love Never Dies" a brilliant sequel to "Phantom"
Alleged Bali bomber Hambali seeks Guantanamo release
Yulia, a Cossack chief in a man's world
4 at Hong Kong broadcaster arrested in graft case
"Alice" set to stay No. 1 at box office
Football and TV star Merlin Olsen dies aged 69
Glenn Close has genes mapped
O'Brien shakes off Tonight Show, hits the road
|
Fox mulling Avatar summer re-release
|
Betty White set to host Saturday Night Live
|
Matrix bad guy eyes Captain America villain
|
Sequels, reboots bring sizzle to summer box office
|
Glenn Close has genes mapped
|
New Matt Damon movie may bring Iraq war into mainstream
|
Alice set to stay No. 1 at box office
|
TBS casts actresses for Security drama pilot
|
Football and TV star Merlin Olsen dies aged 69
|
Israel seals off West Bank amid heightened tension
British Airways cabin crew to strike in late March
Pope meets German bishop over abuse scandal
Iraq opposition alleges 'flagrant' election fraud
Confrontations, anger in Jerusalem over building
|
France's Sarkozy in Britain for talks on economy
$657mln deal for sick Ground Zero workers
Israel orders army to seal off West Bank for 48 hours
Old and new converge in rising British Conservative
|
Family Hires Lawyer After Daughter Assualted In School Bathroom
Texas Executes Cop Killer In 2000 Crime Spree
Thai protesters start bid to topple government
|
NY Attorney General Recuses Himself From Paterson Investigation
Police Looking For Satanic Artist Who Defaced Church
Mississippi Man Spots Jesus Among The Nuts
U.S. man arrested in Yemen worked in nuclear plants
|
Twiggy's London Fashion To Launch On HSN
Suicide blasts in Pakistan's Lahore kill 45
|
Yoplait Greek Yogurt Team Up With "Clash Of The Titans"
Senate Majority Leader's Wife, Daughter Injured In Car Crash
British hostage endured mock executions in Iraq
|
Lehman failure 'fault of managers, banks, auditors'
Justin Timberlake's Clothing Brand Back To Non-Fur Collection
Vienna Boys Choir admits possible sexual abuses
|
Equine Artwork Going For Big Bucks
India, Russia to sign agreements
US slams rights abuses in China, N.Korea and Iran
Activist arrested over boarding Japan whaling ship
Grave likely holds East Timorese freedom fighters
Suicide blasts in Pakistan's Lahore kill 45
Friend: Suspected US al-Qaida member grew radical
Chinese zoo blamed for death of 11 Siberian tigers
Judge to hear plan to pay $657M to WTC responders
Two militants killed in Indonesian gunfight
Heavy rain causes severe flooding in Kazakhstan
China warns Google as Internet row deal seen soon
|
S.Korea to probe huge online data leak
Nokia, Apple seek patent trial in 2 years
|
Malaysia detains 93 Rohingya men at sea for month
Tea greases the wheels of Chinese politics
Chinese oil demand leaps, but top economies lag
Kazakhstan shakes up government to boost economy
UBS Taiwan plans $312 mln China,Russia equities fund
China to crack down on land misuse
China warns Google not to stop filtering web searches
LG to spend 1.3 billion dollars to expand plant
India industrial output surges in January
China tells US not to 'politicise' yuan policy
Indonesia landslide leaves 7 dead, 3 missing
TBS casts actresses for "Security" drama pilot
Showtime signs deal to air DreamWorks films
|
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