Internet a boost for Chinese democracy

By Li Xinran  |   2008-6-30  |     ONLINE EDITION

SEVENTY percent of a China Youth Daily survey believe that the Internet has become a new medium where Chinese people can freely express their opinions.

The survey was made after President Hu Jintao made his first public online chat on June 20. Hu told netizens that reading news, both domestic and international, was what he enjoyed the most when surfing the Internet.

More than 67 percent of 2,874 surveyed said the Internet had become a major medium for the government to learn about the daily lives of people and to understand their thinking.

About 62 percent of the respondents felt that the government was paying attention to communicating with people and President Hu Jintao's online chat was a good example of Chinese democracy.

A lot of the netizens wanted President Hu to open his own blog, or an instant message system or even his own Website.

It shows that the government thinks it is a good idea, said Yan Jirong, a professor at Peking University.

The Government is trying to find a way to recognize the right of people to express their opinions. It was also in accordance with the philosophy of a government for the people and serving the people, Yan added.

More than half of the interviewees thought that President Hu's contact with people online created history and China's Internet community would become more active.

China has some 230 million netizens who have become a major force in society, the newspaper said.

The survey showed that nearly 50 percent of the respondents log on to a variety of Websites and BBS to express opinions.

China's major news portals, such as Sina.com, Netease.com, and online shopping sites like Taobao.com were among the netizens' favorites.

Wang Yang, the Party secretary of southern China's Guangdong Province met 26 netizens in April.