· February, 2011

Stories about China from February, 2011

China: 50 Cent Party's Fake Retweet

  27 February 2011

Several Chinese online activists have noticed that the 50 Cent Party has adopted a new tactic in creating fake retweets of prominent online opinion leaders. China Media Project has a brief account of the situation. Rebecca MacKinnon wonders if Twitter abuse team can deal with the problem of fake retweets.

China: Jasmine Revolution, Week Two

  26 February 2011

Following dozens of arrests since an anonymous blog post called for revolutionary gatherings in cities across China last Sunday, a second round of gatherings is scheduled for today. Has the heavy-handed government response turned what many insist was a stunt into something more powerful?

China: Ran Yunfei charged with inciting subversion

  24 February 2011

Five days after he was detained, the family of Sichuan writer, scholar and blogger Ran Yunfei was notified today that Ran has officially been charged with inciting subversion of state power. Dark f**ing days indeed. [Note: People are now saying Ran has in fact been charged with the more serious...

China: The Risk of Shutting Up Sina Weibo is Zero!?

  24 February 2011

The reaction of the Chinese government towards the anonymous “Jasmine Revolution” message circulated around overseas dissident websites and Twitter has alerted investment banks’ analysts to cut the rating of Sina's stock value. Some banks apparently anticipate an increase in the risk of the Chinese government tightening regulations on social media,...

China: Chinese TV praised Gaddafi as thinker, revolutionist

  24 February 2011

KDnet's netizen have dug out the TV interview of Gaddafi broadcast on Phoenix TV on July 18, 2010 in which the TV anchor praised Gaddafi as thinker and revolutionist. The Ministry of Tofu has translated the post and netizens’ comment on the interview.

China: Hooliganism

  24 February 2011

China Hush translated a news story about China's last Hooliganism convict. The controversy is on whether the convict should continue serving his sentence for a repealed law.

China: Playing Revolution on Twitter

  23 February 2011

Two small protests on Sunday have been declared the beginning of China's own revolution, and yes, it all started on Twitter. Many felt leading up to the protests that they would prove to be little more than performance art, but now wonder if the heavy-handed response from authorities has created something bigger.

China: Open letter from Jasmine organizers

  23 February 2011

Human Rights in China translated an open letter, first posted on Boxun's temporary website, from the organizers of the Chinese Jasmine rallies held on 20 February 2011. The letter calls for people to gather every Sunday to continue to push for political reforms in China.

China: What a Beautiful Sensitive Word

  23 February 2011

China Digital Times translated technology blogger Jason Ng's post on “What a beautiful sensitive word” describing how the security police had helped promote the Jasmine Revolution by arresting a large number of dissidents and opinion leaders over an anonymous tweet.

China: A staged revolution

  21 February 2011

C Custer from China Geek blogs about the spread of “Jasmine revolution” through messages from outside China and the police's over reaction from inside China. He also records the “revolutionary atmosphere” in Beijing Wangfujing area.

China: Debating with Shaun Rein

  21 February 2011

Dan from China Law Blog opens a debate with CNBC's Columnist Shaun Rein, who enjoys representing Chinese point of view and recently wrote an article on “Why A Fast Appreciating Yuan Won't Help US Economy.”

China: Jasmine Protest

  21 February 2011

Junling Hu from Democracy in China reports and reflects upon the Jasmine Protest on 20 of February 2011.

China: Petitioner burns down his black prison

  18 February 2011

Veteran citizen journalist Zhang 'Tiger Temple' Shihe tells the story of Hubei petitioner Yan Sen, whose provincial government paid to keep him locked away in an extralegal 'black prison', up until Yan made his dramatic escape.

China: Worst Drought in 60 Years

  18 February 2011

Major agricultural regions in China are facing their worst drought in 60 years. According to government statistics, 2.57 million people and 2.79 million livestock have been hit by the drought. The immediate impact has been rising food prices, indeed its implication on food security has prompted the United Nations' food agency to issue a warning to the world's grain markets.

About our China coverage

Oiwan Lam
Oi wan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.