Weibo: China's Version of Twitter Changed Five Lives

Showing little fear of rapid social change, the Chinese pushed literacy and economic development during the last half of the 20th century and increased internet use during the past decade. The internet’s impact on society is greater in China than in other country, argues Duncan Hewitt for BBC News. He describes five people’s lives transformed with Sina Weibo, China’s version of Twitter: A Beijing businessman turned animal-rights activist, organizing dog rescues, protests and adoptions. The family of a woman set afire by a scorned suitor turned to Weibo after he stopped making payments for medical care. Celebrities and environmentalist debated air pollution and convinced government officials to post data online. Graffiti artists record their works and build fan bases. A woman started an online group among expectant mothers to encourage breastfeeding rather than baby formulas promoted by corporate interests. Sina Weibo is another tool in fast-changing China, enabling social pressure and rapid spread of new ideas. – YaleGlobal