Revolution Anxiety Spreads to China

The fear of a popular uprising has spread across the world, from the Middle East, to Africa, and now to China. Anonymous calls for a "Jasmine Revolution" (a phrase that gained fame in the Tunisia revolt) spread across Chinese social media sites on Sunday afternoon, prompting swift action from the Chinese government. The government blocked the words "Jasmine Revolution" from being posted on Internet search engines and social media sites and blocked people from being able to send text messages to multiple recipients. This action follows others that highlight the nervousness that has risen in China's government since the waves of protest begun in other areas of the world. Throughout the week there have been reports of lawyers, rights activists, and dissidents being rounded up by the Chinese government and being placed under different forms of house arrest. At this time it is reported that two of these lawyers are still missing. Many Chinese are seeing an increased police presence in the streets of their major cities. While this is going on, President Hu Jintao is urging his officials to adress any "social problems" before they cause instability in the country.

Mary Naset