Hot on the Web
Leaders listen more to netizens' voices
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-01 07:35
 |
Large Medium Small |
BEIJING: Top Chinese leaders are attaching greater importance to voices from cyberspace by engaging directly with netizens.
On Saturday, Premier Wen Jiabao answered netizens' questions about hot-button issues like hefty housing prices and unemployment during an online chat on the central government's website (www.gov.cn).
| ||||
This is not the first time the IT-savvy premier has appreciated the passion of netizens.
On March 14, 2005, Wen said at the third plenary session of the 10th National People's Congress that he was deeply moved by netizens' concerns about State affairs and that the advice raised by netizens was worthy of consideration.
On Feb 28 last year, Wen held a two-hour online chat with netizens on two State Web portals in Beijing, answering questions on issues such as the financial crisis and anti-corruption.
On June 20, 2008, President Hu Jintao also held his first live online chat with netizens, telling them that different voices can be heard across the country.
As communication between leaders and netizens increases, the Internet is providing an easier and faster way for people to express their emotions and offer their opinions to the country's top leaders.
Some netizens who dubbed themselves fans of Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao, even created a website in September 2008 called "Shijinbabaofans", which plays on the leaders' names as well as the name of a delicious dessert in Chinese.
The site collects accounts of Hu and Wen's activities, remarks and photos and allows the public to post suggestions about government work.
These fans have even formed Internet words using Hu and Wen's names, such as "Brother Tao" and "I love Baobao".
Wang Qian / China Daily
