Landmark Events in 2010

Landmark Events in 2010

● On September 10, the self-immolation of three residents in Yihuang, Jiangxi Province, who were protesting the forced demolition of their home, was broadcast live by a member of the victims’ family,attracting nationw ide attention. Several local officials, including the county head,were later held accountable.

● Li Qim ing, a 22-year-old drunk driver, caused a car accident at Hebei University on October 16. When caught by security guards, Li shouted, “Go ahead,sue me if you dare. M y dad is Li Gang!”M icro-blogs were the first to reveal his father’s identity. “My dad is Li Gang!”has since become a popu lar Internet catchphrase in China, used ironically in conversation by speakers trying to avoid responsibility.

● Yu Jianrong, a professor at the Rural Development Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences,made public a war of words between himself and local officials in Jiangxi Province over forced demolitions of private homes on his micro-blog on November 1. A local official allegedly challenged Yu by asking,“What would intellectuals like you have if it weren’t for forced demolitions?”

● On November 23, Xiamen police released information of a murder case on its micro-blog and asked for netizens’ help to provide clues. On November 29, microbloggers’ tip-offs helped the police catch the murderers.

● On December 6, 2010, Hong Kong w riter Louis Cha was rumored to be dead through m icro-blogs. The incident triggered suggestions the government should focus on developing its information channels by using m icro-blogs to prevent false rumors.

● The w ife of blogger Fang Zhouzi,known for exposing academ ic fraud,revealed a violent attack on the famous“science cop” on Fang’s m icro-blog.Police investigations found it was masterminded by a urologist who, Fang said, had been involved in academ ic fraud. Beijing police fi rst announced the arrest of the attackers on its micro-blog.

● A fter a terrible fi re in an apartment building in Shanghai on November 15, netizens called for bouquets for the victims through micro-blogs. Officials joined local residents in a public memorial service on November 22.

● Tw o leading Chinese Internet com panies, Tencent and Qihoo 360,were engaged in a month-long tussle in September, in which they accused each other of spying, hacking and leaking users’private information, affecting thousands of users. M illions of Chinese netizens gathered on m icro-blogs, to condemn the practice.

● Zhou Libo, a famous Shanghaibased stand-up comedian, called the Internet “a public toilet,” where netizens throw their “private crap,” on his m icroblog on November 20. The comments sparked public anger and condemnation.

● Tang Jun, former President of Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd., becomes the focus of public controversy over his credentials, after being accused of fabricating his resume by well-known whistleblower Fang Zhouzi on his micro-blog on July 1. Tang had been considered a “star employee” in China due to his supposed innovative and professional spirit.

Source:Xinhua News Agency