What term best defined China in 2009?
- Source: Global Times
- [23:57 December 30 2009]
- Comments
Readers are invited to contribute to Everybody’s Column, which showcases a variety of opinions from our readers on different topics.
Our topics for discussion for the following weeks include: “What is the most shocking thing you have ever seen in China?”
Pieces should be no longer than 300 words and may be submitted via email to forum@globaltimes.com.cn
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Zhang Yizhong, a graduate student at the University of Hong Kong
Netocracy 网舆
Sun Zhongjie severed his finger in a despairing demonstration of his innocence after being entrapped by the Shanghai police with his own kindness in giving a stranger a life and fined for driving an unlicensed cab.
He probably did not expect that his name would become famous among Chinese netizens, and that public rage would bring eventual justice.
Deng Yujiao, a young hotel attendant who killed a local official after he tried to drunkenly rape her, expected to spend the rest of her life behind bars. But after tens of millions of netizens hailed her as a heroine, she ended up serving no prison time.
The strength and influence of netocracy on governmental policies, judicial rulings and in fighting corruption has grown exponentially. Some scholars have criticized it for representing only a small part of China's population. But if you happen to own a car in Shanghai, you can be grateful to Sun and those who backed him online.
