Cadres go to blog school
- Source: Global Times
- [08:22 April 15 2011]
- Comments
Cadres attend a class to learn the intricacies of microblogging at the Beijing Party School. Photo: Courtesy of the Beijing Party School
By Xu Tianran
Courses to teach officials the intricacies of microblogging proved so popular at the Beijing Party School that the institution has had to open an additional course to help cadres adapt to the information era.
The optional course first launched in mid-March at the school, which provides administrative training and political indoctrination. It was designed for 40 students, but so many showed an interest that people had to stand in the corridors outside the classroom, according to a teacher in the school's computer science center surnamed Yang.
An additional course for 40 people was then added, yet it was still not enough. Encouraged by their success, the school opened an extra 50-person course for bureau-level cadres in early April.
"Microblogs have gained popularity and influence among Chinese Web users, so we figured officials must be interested in them," said Yang.
For example, Beijing-based blogger and professor Yu Jianrong set up a sina.com microblog on January 25, urging Web users to post photos of child beggars in hopes that the children would be recognized and brought home. The blog helped police to rescue five child beggars by February 8, and had 234,088 followers as of Thursday.
Yu initiated another microblog this Tuesday to expose the country's ill-designed blind walkways, some of which could lead the visually impaired into rivers or uncovered manholes.
"Microblogs have many advantages in connecting the government and people," Yang said, adding that she encourages her students to use their real names when blogging.
"Many Web users wish that officials would use real-name accounts because they wish to hear from them directly," she explained.
While microblogging comes with a great deal of responsibility, it also can help officials to do their jobs better by providing a means of communicating with Web users directly.
"By doing this, the official places himself under the view of the public, and he should take responsibility for every word he utters," Yang said.
Cai Chunhong, associate professor of the China National School of Administration, agreed.
