Information/Technology - 81. page

The Public Opinion Research Lab of Shanghai at Jiao Tong University recently released a report that indicated that microblogging, as a new communication channel, is having an impact in influencing public opinion. The report took a look at the hot topics of the top 20 websites in the third quarter of 2010 and analyzed the coping abilities of local governments, companies, and individuals. Indexes included communication speed, communication skills, and communication effectiveness. The research showed that microblogging is becoming an effective channel for companies and individuals to provide information. In some instances, microblogging played a very important role in spreading messages. The report also found that government agencies were weak in terms of controlling communication and releasing information during crises.

Source: China News Service, October 20, 2010
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/it/2010/10-20/2598464.shtml

At the time of The Third China Space Technology Forum, the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST) revealed China’s plan for exploring Mars. The plan is mainly based on the technologies used in the Chang-E Moon Satellite Platform. According to CAST experts, the Chinese plan reached a pretty high level compared to Mars exploration plans developed outside of China in recent years. Experts also indicated that the Chinese space activities targeting Mars will increase China’s power in the deep space technology race and shorten the distance from leading countries. This is considered the mission of the future Chinese space technology development.

Source: Xinhua, October 21, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-10/21/c_13569005.htm

On October 23, 2010, World Journal, a Taiwan based Chinese newspaper, reported that China is making a full out effort across China to provide a government-backed map service called “Map World” in order to compete with Google Earth. 

The Chinese mapping data was considered the confidential information of the military. "Map World" has a strong background. According to the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, the project is backed and supported by the Ministry of Land Resources, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of State Security, the State Secrets Bureau, the PLA Secrets Office, the PLA’s General Staff Department, the Armed Police Headquarters, the Surveying and Mapping Bureau under the PLA’s General Staff Department, and other security and intelligence agencies.

Source: World Journal, October 23, 2010
http://www.worldjournal.com/view/full_hnews/10013300/article-%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E6%8E%A8%E5%A4%A9%E5%9C%B0%E5%9C%96-%E5%90%91%E8%B0%B7%E6%AD%8C%E5%9C%B0%E7%90%83%E5%AE%A3%E6%88%B0?instance=noon

On October 14, People’s Daily reported on the annual video conference that had been held in Beijing on October 13, on the distribution work of the Party’s newspapers and journals.  

It was pointed out at the conference that the newspaper People’s Daily and the journal Qiushi (www.QSTheory.cn), as the official newspaper and journal of the CPC Central Committee, are important tools for shaping ideology and public opinion. Major Party newspapers and journals must be delivered into the hands of the majority of Party member cadres and ordinary people in a timely manner. The decision was made to continue to expand the area coverage and the social influence of the Party’s major newspapers and journals.

Source: People’s Daily, October 14, 2010
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/12948207.html

Sun Jiadong, an Academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, recently gave a speech at the Shanghai Expo. Sun is the Chief Architect and Designer of China’s self-developed GPS system – the Compass Navigation Satellite System (CNSS). Sun emphasized a unique feature that all other GPS systems do not have: CNSS allows ground devices to transmit short text messages to the satellites, thus establishing two-way communication. Sun also mentioned that although the CNSS is being built rapidly, the real world usage, or even preparation for usage, is minimal. Other than some central government branches, the entire domestic market is still asleep. The Chinese market is still dominated by foreign technologies and products. He believed that the general public needs to be educated about the Chinese space industry’s achievements.

Source: China Review News, September 2, 2010
http://gb.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1014/3/4/0/101434065.html?coluid=45&kindid=0&docid=101434065&mdate=0902093423