显示器不清晰:Lee Kai-Fu: Microblogs 'revolutionising Chinese media'

By Michael BristowBBC News, BeijingThe ex-head of Google in China says he is willing to accept government censorship
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China warns US over web freedom
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The march of the netizens
Microblogging has led to a revolution in the way people communicate with each other in China, according to internet guru Lee Kai-Fu.
The implications of this social movement are immense. Mr Lee said it is forcing the Chinese Communist Party to look at how it governs the country.
He should know. He has worked for perhaps the world's three biggest technology companies: Apple, Microsoft and Google.
More than 8m people follow his own microblog - daily titbits posted on Weibo, China's most popular site.
He has also written a book on this phenomenon, called Microblog: Changing the World, a title that neatly encapsulating his views on this issue.
'Bad things exposed'
"Microblogging leverages the wisdom of the crowds. The good things get forwarded, or re-tweeted, and bubble up to the top," he said in an interview with the BBC.
"It's really revolutionising the media and how they spend time online here in China."
Mr Lee spends about one-and-a-half hours a day updating his own microblog.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
I have no issues with accepting that law”
Lee Kai-FuEx-Google in China, on government censorship
"I'm able to use fragments of time when I'm waiting for someone or I'm in the car," said the blogger, who writes about all kinds of topics, including his family.
But microblogs in China are not just about trivia.
Mr Lee said there are now people who do not bother logging onto news websites to find out what is going on in the world - they use microblogs instead.
One major consequence of this revolution has been that people can now get access to information that was previously controlled by the party.
The internet also gives them a public forum to speak out.
It is not a point Mr Lee wants to push too far, but he admits: "People's ability to express unhappiness about things - corrupt government officials, being treated unfairly at work - all of these bad things are being exposed."
'Something to ponder'
These developments have made China's communist leaders nervous because they fear it could threaten their ability to rule this populous nation.
They are trying to control microblogs - as they do with the internet generally. But this is not a subject Mr Lee is entirely comfortable discussing.
Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that he still works in China.
His Beijing-based company, Innovation Works, invests in companies devising new ways to harness the internet.
The former head of Google in China declined to answer a question about how officials forced the US internet firm to censor its Chinese website.
"That's not something I can really talk about," he said.
But he made it clear that he was willing to accept government censorship.
"I, as an individual, want to bring the most advanced technologies and the greatest legal access to information that I can to every user of my products," he said.
"If accepting some law is a requirement to make that goal possible, I have no issues with accepting that law."
Lee Kai-Fu is also cautious about answering questions on how this communication revolution will change the way China is governed.
"[Microblogging] will at least accelerate the government leaders' thinking about the rate at which people are disseminating information, showing their voices," he said.
But he admits this is building up pressure for change.
"That acceleration will cause them to ponder. Whether they end up evolving, or make big changes or do nothing - that's not for me to speculate."
More on This Story
Related Stories
China warns US over web freedom 17 FEBRUARY 2011, ASIA-PACIFIC
China police launch micro-blogs 04 JANUARY 2011, ASIA-PACIFIC
The march of the netizens 02 NOVEMBER 2010, ASIA-PACIFIC
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Lee Kai-Fu: Microblogs 'revolutionising Chinese media'
By Michael BristowBBC News, BeijingThe ex-head of Google in China says he is willing to accept government censorship
Continue reading the main storyRelated Stories
China warns US over web freedom
China police launch micro-blogs
The march of the netizens
Microblogging has led to a revolution in the way people communicate with each other in China, according to internet guru Lee Kai-Fu.
The implications of this social movement are immense. Mr Lee said it is forcing the Chinese Communist Party to look at how it governs the country.
He should know. He has worked for perhaps the world's three biggest technology companies: Apple, Microsoft and Google.
More than 8m people follow his own microblog - daily titbits posted on Weibo, China's most popular site.
He has also written a book on this phenomenon, called Microblog: Changing the World, a title that neatly encapsulating his views on this issue.
'Bad things exposed'
"Microblogging leverages the wisdom of the crowds. The good things get forwarded, or re-tweeted, and bubble up to the top," he said in an interview with the BBC.
"It's really revolutionising the media and how they spend time online here in China."
Mr Lee spends about one-and-a-half hours a day updating his own microblog.
Continue reading the main story“Start Quote
I have no issues with accepting that law”
Lee Kai-FuEx-Google in China, on government censorship
"I'm able to use fragments of time when I'm waiting for someone or I'm in the car," said the blogger, who writes about all kinds of topics, including his family.
But microblogs in China are not just about trivia.
Mr Lee said there are now people who do not bother logging onto news websites to find out what is going on in the world - they use microblogs instead.
One major consequence of this revolution has been that people can now get access to information that was previously controlled by the party.
The internet also gives them a public forum to speak out.
It is not a point Mr Lee wants to push too far, but he admits: "People's ability to express unhappiness about things - corrupt government officials, being treated unfairly at work - all of these bad things are being exposed."
'Something to ponder'
These developments have made China's communist leaders nervous because they fear it could threaten their ability to rule this populous nation.
They are trying to control microblogs - as they do with the internet generally. But this is not a subject Mr Lee is entirely comfortable discussing.
Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that he still works in China.
His Beijing-based company, Innovation Works, invests in companies devising new ways to harness the internet.
The former head of Google in China declined to answer a question about how officials forced the US internet firm to censor its Chinese website.
"That's not something I can really talk about," he said.
But he made it clear that he was willing to accept government censorship.
"I, as an individual, want to bring the most advanced technologies and the greatest legal access to information that I can to every user of my products," he said.
"If accepting some law is a requirement to make that goal possible, I have no issues with accepting that law."
Lee Kai-Fu is also cautious about answering questions on how this communication revolution will change the way China is governed.
"[Microblogging] will at least accelerate the government leaders' thinking about the rate at which people are disseminating information, showing their voices," he said.
But he admits this is building up pressure for change.
"That acceleration will cause them to ponder. Whether they end up evolving, or make big changes or do nothing - that's not for me to speculate."
More on This Story
Related Stories
China warns US over web freedom 17 FEBRUARY 2011, ASIA-PACIFIC
China police launch micro-blogs 04 JANUARY 2011, ASIA-PACIFIC
The march of the netizens 02 NOVEMBER 2010, ASIA-PACIFIC
Share this page
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Print
More Asia-Pacific stories
RSSAustralia shock at asylum tragedy
Australians are shocked after a boat filled with asylum seekers capsizes on its way from Indonesia, and at least eight people die.
Xenon detected at Fukushima plant
China schools closed after blast
Top Stories
Key ally urges Berlusconi to quit
Syria death toll 'passes 3,500'
Sarkozy called Israeli PM 'liar'
Boxing heavyweight Frazier dies
White House denies alien contact
Features & Analysis
Inside the head
Why was lobotomy once thought to be a miracle cure?
Levittown at 60
When buying the American dream was cheap
Jackson justice
Doctor's 'errors of judgment' led to his conviction
Staging da Vinci
How London's National Gallery blockbuster came together
Most Popular
Shared
1:Sarkozy called Israeli PM 'liar'
2:Boxing heavyweight Frazier dies
3:7 billion people and you: What's your number?
4:Prostitutes found in Mexico jail
5:Giant asteroid to pass near Earth
Read
1:Sarkozy called Israeli PM 'liar'
2:White House denies alien contact
3:Prostitutes found in Mexico jail
4:Key ally urges Berlusconi to quit
5:The strange and curious history of lobotomy
6:Giant asteroid to pass near Earth
7:Boxing heavyweight Frazier dies
8:Taking stock of America's first suburb
9:Olympus admits to hiding losses
10:Iran 'does not need atomic bombs'
Video/Audio
1:One-minute World NewsWatch
2:Legendary fighter Frazier diesWatch
3:The evidence that convicted MurrayWatch
4:Is Asimo the cleverest robot yet?Watch
5:UK's youngest gastric band patientWatch
6:Safety advisor falls from ladderWatch
7:Woods says caddie not racistWatch
8:US candidate faces new sex claimWatch
9:The enigma of Leonardo da VinciWatch
10:Sarkozy: 'We need timetable on peace'Watch
Elsewhere on BBC News
Hidden heroes
A new exhibition celebrates the low-key technology innovations that changed the world
Programmes
Fast TrackWatch
The Korean wave: How South Korea's pop culture exports are reaping benefits