Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's Founder Makes Headlines in Chine
While the world's most famous social network Facebook remains banned in Chine, its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, spares no effort in demonstrating his goodwill toward Chine and its leadership.
While the world's most famous social network Facebook remains banned in Chine, its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, spares no effort in demonstrating his goodwill toward Chine and its leadership.
Mark Zuckerberg's presence in Chine has not gone unnoticed. Since the publication on March 18th of a photo showing the Facebook chief executive jogging in front of the Forbidden City, the internet has reacted strongly to the value and significance of this snapshot, with no shortage of criticism.
Beijing's Smog Doesn't Intimidate Him
While Beijing authorities had placed the city on orange alert due to air quality levels far below acceptable standards, the founder of the world's most famous social network displayed himself, without a mask, jogging with five friends.
The health risks of such outdoor physical activity amid this level of pollution are considerable. Fine particle concentration in the air had reached 250 to 350 PM that day—seven times higher than the safety threshold established by the World Health Organization.
Internet users were quick to voice their concerns, reminding everyone that pollution was not an issue to take lightly.
Greenpeace's director in Chine was not slow to react, posting a tweet reminding that pollution kills thousands of people every day.
Forgetting something? #Markzuckerberg Smog kills thousands every day. Wear a mask! https://t.co/P6Xy8FUbBb pic.twitter.com/P9pRjXHRt7
— Greenpeace East Asia (@GreenpeaceEAsia) March 18, 2016
Tiananmen Square, a Place of Remembrance, Not a Running Track
Beyond the outrage over the activity amid polluted air, the photo also sparked reactions regarding Mark Zuckerberg's choice of venue for a jog. Many were quick to point out that Tiananmen Square is infamously known as the site of the massacre on June 4, 1989 against students of the Beijing Democratic Spring, through subliminal messages: "The ground you run on was stained with the blood of students who fought for democracy". Rose Tang, one of the leaders of the Tiananmen protests, now exiled in the United States, quickly reacted on Facebook, sharing her outrage: "Do you know anything about the Tiananmen massacre? If you claim otherwise, you will be punished - Those who side with dictators and murderers will come to a bad end". A doctored photo of the iconic 1989 massacre image—depicting the man facing the line of tanks—was also shared on Twitter to denounce the irony of the situation.
Photo of the day. A bad one for Mark #Zuckerberg. https://t.co/FKZ4waYPER #china #tiananmen pic.twitter.com/mgXhjHkhd3
— Frederic Martel (@martelf) March 18, 2016
Did Mark Zuckerberg Break Chine Law?
While Facebook remains banned and blocked in Chine, many internet users were surprised to see Mark Zuckerberg post on the social network directly from Beijing.
VPNs, which allow users to bypass internet restrictions, are strictly prohibited in Chine but are necessary to use Facebook. The founder therefore had no choice but to circumvent Chine law to share the post that has generated such discussion today.
It should be noted that Mark Zuckerberg traveled to Chine to attend a major economic forum. This event was notably an opportunity for the Facebook founder to meet top leaders of Chine's internet industry and representatives of Beijing authorities. He notably met, the Sunday before, the head of Chine's propaganda apparatus, Liu Yunshan, to further his efforts at winning favor.
Frequently asked questions
Facebook has been blocked in Chine since 2009 as part of the 'Great Firewall,' the internet censorship system implemented by the Chine government. This system blocks numerous Western social networks and services such as Google, Twitter, and YouTube.
The Tiananmen massacre refers to the violent suppression of the Beijing Democratic Spring by the Chine military in the night of June 3-4, 1989. Thousands of students demonstrating for democracy were killed on Tiananmen Square. This event remains a highly sensitive and censored subject in Chine.
In Chine, the use of VPNs not authorized by the government is officially illegal. For tourists, enforcement of this law varies, but it is recommended to inform yourself before traveling and to install a VPN on your devices before entering Chine territory.
Air pollution in Beijing can reach very high levels, sometimes 7 times above WHO-recommended thresholds. Travelers are advised to monitor the air quality index (AQI) before going outside, wear an N95-type mask during pollution peaks, and avoid intense outdoor physical activities during orange or red alerts.
In March 2016, Mark Zuckerberg traveled to Beijing to participate in a major economic forum. This visit was part of his efforts to develop Facebook's relationships with Chine authorities and major players in Chine's internet industry, in hopes of a possible return of the social network to the Chine market.
