China’s social media hailed

Eurasia News

Chinese state media hailed the power of the Internet Monday after a probe was launched into a top state planner following an online expose, making him the most senior official toppled by social media.

Liu Tienan, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, is being investigated for “serious disciplinary violations”, state-run media said Sunday, after graft claims emerged online in December.

Chinese citizens have taken to Internet forums such as Sina Weibo, a Twitter-like service, in recent years to expose wrongdoing and to vent their anger over corruption.

A motley parade of lower ranking officials has gained widespread notoriety after their indiscretions spread like wildfire on the Internet.

“This is the true meaning of democracy and the rule of law which are developing in China,” said an editorial in the Global Times newspaper Monday, under the headline “Public opinion empowers Weibo’s effect”.

“The focus of power of Chinese public opinion is further shifting towards the Internet,” it added. “The Chinese Internet sphere is now one of the most influential in the world. The trend will only continue to grow.”

But Chinese authorities still strictly control discussion online, with sensitive posts rapidly deleted and searches for unwelcome topics routinely blocked.