Many regional police departments have launched their micro-blogs, a similar service to that of Twitter, at Sina, for promoting their image and public relations. Most netizens are not in the least surprised by the growing trend. However, Xigang Branch Office of Dalian Police Department in China’s northeast was a jaw-dropping one. It’s micro-blog, only half-a-month-old, has become quite a sight. Users have noticed that even though it has thousands of followers, it has followed only one user – Sora Aoi, a Japanese porn star well-known in China.
“It is a good thing to see all branch offices of the city’s police department have launched their micro-blogs. Notified by a fellow net user, I visited the newly-started micro-blog of Xigang Branch Office. Interesting. Its followers are about to reach 5,000, but the Xigang police only cares about one user: Sora Aoi.” A micro-blog published yesterday on Sina says so. This message has quickly created buzz and has left Xigang Branch Office at the center of the attention.
As is seen on its micro-blog page and a screenshot provided by net users, Xigang Branch Office, a verified user, only published three messages (similar to tweets) so far. The first was on December 30 about a new party boss taking office. Two more simple greeting messages ensued. Even so, its number of fans (followers) is almost 5,000.
Screenshot of Xigang Branch Office's micro-blog page on Sina. At the bottom is the only one user it follows: Sora Aoi.
Netizens engaged in a heated discussion as to the legitimacy, or lack thereof, of its following the porn star and nobody else.
Some people think it is equally normal to follow anyone, even Bin Laden, on the Web. Policemen are only human.
However, netizens critical of the move think the crux of the issue is, why it only follows Sora Aoi? “There’s nothing wrong with following Sora Aoi. But if Xigang Branch Office only cares about Sora Aoi, this is your fault,” user “victorpeople” commented.
The news has been widely circulated on the Web and was cited by multiple online discussion forums. Even Dalian Police Department, which administers Xigang Branch Office, got wind of the news. In response, Dalian PD wrote on its official micro-blog page at 5:33 p.m. yesterday, “We hope people can understand that your supervision is the biggest driving force for our growth.” It also said that because micro-blog is a novelty, “It’s easy (for us) to have all kinds of problems during the process of self-promotion.” Their main purpose is to use the platform to better serve everyone. Dalian PD also says it will certainly strengthen its regulation from then on.
Until today, Xigang Branch Office has added 77 users into its following list after removing Sora Aoi from the list.
Selected comments on Sina:
@邓天卓: I believe in the government! This must have been done by a temporary worker!//@马锐Ryan:Right! It’s actually a vice squad!:)//@简江: Don’t read into it. They are doing their job! //@庄鉴韬: Yes, that’s what their job requires. Don’t make the wrong association!//@吴昊亮: They are closely watching the enemy. How praiseworthy and diligent!
郁Dsometimes: Wiping out pornography and cracking down on illegal activities. It’s what police must do.
海阔不如天空: Their only hobby!
借口1988: Haha, are they doing this for anti-pornography campaign? Understandable!
The-Good-and-The-Bad: Micro-blog is a demon-detecting mirror.
漳州师范狂奔的蜗牛: This, is good! Aha.//@Shitizen_Chiang:Even uncle policemen love Sister Sora!
亚波Me: ”Want what I think about, think about what I want”//@陈国杰少爷:Turning a blind eye to everything else. //@智_大田示木:Haha, so real. //@茶兒祝Jay5歲生日快樂: //@微波弦:Haha(今天 11:25)
小桃苏 It is said the branch office quickly removed Sora Aoi and added 120 others. Actually how great it would be if they can remain steadfast in its stance? At lease they can show their real true colors to the public in a poised manner!
