China Economic Weekly

September 26, 2011

Nowadays, taxis have become an essential means of transport. With more than 1.1 million vehicles and 2.3 million employees, the industry has experienced over 100 strikes during the past seven years. 

In this issue, the magazine looks at the reason for strikes by introducing three modes of operating taxis. The first is Beijing Mode, in which the government sells the franchise of operating taxis to companies who in turn sell it to individual drivers and charge them a management fee each month. The second is Shanghai Mode, in which taxi companies buy the franchise and cars and recruit drivers. The taxi drivers get paid from taxi companies. The last is the Wenzhou Mode in which both the car and the franchise are sold to individuals.

The magazine calls for reform of the current operating modes, where governments, taxi drivers and passengers are victims while the only winners are the taxi companies.

MICROBLOG FOLLOWERS SCAM

Southern Metropolis Weekly

September 26, 2011

In a short time after Chinese microblog gains wide popularity around the country, "ghost followers" rapidly emerged as a fashion phrase and attract the public's attention. They refer to those who sign up for an account but never show in the microblog.

The publication examines the phenomenon of "ghost followers" whereby microblog users buy followers for their accounts to improve online popularity. Companies now exist to sell these followers. 

For individual users, it is a measure of pride and social standing to have many followers, while companies view it as an effective, yet low-cost way of advertising themselves. The more followers they have, the more positive reaction they will get from potential clients. According to the magazine, "ghost followers" have seriously disturbed the market order and related technologies should be updated to block and eliminate "ghost follower" accounts.