Freedom of official speech

Over the past two to three years, some officials have discovered their own methods for using Weibo, trailblazing a path to follow while others have become quite controversial after seeking fame and popularity.

Wang Tao, 35, deputy director with Yunyan township, Yichuan county in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, has been using Weibo to build connections with the media and NGOs.

Using the help of new friends from the virtual world in reality, Wang has helped local farmers sell apples directly to Beijing supermarkets, while giving some profits to an NGO that fights to provide medical insurance for sick children.

Wang first realized the impact of Weibo in August 2011 when he posted about the deteriorating conditions of the provincial highway crossing his hometown, which had been left in disrepair for two years since the building of a nearby national highway. Because of his Weibo post, reporters rushed to report the story and the road was repaired within just three months.