AfterDawn: News

Twitter headed to China, eventually

Twitter founder Jack Dorsey has confirmed that they will eventually offer a Chinese version of the extremely popular social network, although a time frame was not given.

The confirmation came at a panel discussion earlier this week after Chinese activist Ai Weiwei asked: "Is it possible to provide a Chinese access on Twitter? I need a clear answer, yes or no."



"I would say yes. It's just a matter of time," said Dorsey, in response.

Ai Weiwei calls Twitter a very important part of the future of China, which has practically forbidden a free flow of information and censors search engine results. "In China, we cannot see YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter, and very soon, maybe not see Google," he adds.

Why is Twitter so important? "At 140 words, in Chinese, you can really write a novel. You can discuss most profound ideas really to democracy, freedom, poetry," Ai Weiwei notes, via PCWorld.

Dorsey adds that he wants Twitter in China, but technological and political hurdles need to be jumped, including finding a way for Chinese characters to be universally supported via phone SMS. Getting inside "the Great Firewall" would also be a problem.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 18 Mar 2010 18:44

• Previous article

• EA follows Ubisoft, will sell titles with 'always on' DRM

• Next article

• Video Daily: Angry former employee shuts down 100 cars remotely

• 4 comments

• paduid

  --"we cannot see YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter, and very soon, maybe not see Google," ?
  Why 400 millions Chinese netizens have to need all these sites while they have ALL the same or similar ones like Baidu, Tudou, QQ, .... Ai Weiwei is certainly dreaming himslf as a tortured martre survived from bitteer sea. He is simply sick.
  Meanwhie "Weiwei" is his surname no mily name. Calling him Weiwei sound pretty funny but prove you are quite ignorant of China.

  18.3.2010 19:16 #1

• DVDBack23

  Originally posted by paduid:
  Meanwhie "Weiwei" is his surname no mily name. Calling him Weiwei sound pretty funny but prove you are quite ignorant of China.
  I have added Ai to all references.
  
  
  

  AfterDawn News
  AfterDawn Guides
  AfterDawn Downloads
  AfterDawn Hardware Section
  
  

  18.3.2010 19:24 #2

• KillerBug

  Yup...and Ford plans to eventually make flying cars that can go into outer space...but I'm not holding my breath.

  20.3.2010 01:31 #3

• Gnawnivek

  That's so true... the part about 140 characters in Chinese. Grass Mud Horse can't be censored at all :)
  

  Peace!

  25.3.2010 13:21 #4