ABSTRACT

Weibo, the micro-blogging service of https://Sina.com">Sina.com – one of China’s leading internet firms – was launched in August 2009, and now plays an essential part in the public life of the Chinese people. Weibo’s story is also the story of the social transition of China in recent years (i.e. post-Olympics China), and the interplay of political and business interests across the booming social media landscape. The dynamics of Weibo reflect the tension between the tightening state control of the media and the increasingly vibrant, competitive and creative internet user culture.