5 Must-Read Tech Stories in China This Week

This was an interesting week for tech in China, especially if you’re the sort of person who lives in China and likes to visit those scandalous overseas websites. What went down? Here’s the rundown.

1. China’s Internet Becomes an Intranet for an Hour or So

Who wants to access non-Chinese websites anyway? A lot of people, it turns out. China’s connection to the outside world went down for around an hour this Thursday, and netizens were not amused. We reported it, came up with some theories about it, and then got some new information and did even more reporting and theorizing.

2. Delicious gets forked.

Baffled by the headline? Perhaps this will help: Mei.fm. Still nothing? Guess you’re going to have to click, then.

3. Google Rolls Out Its Real-Time DoubleClick Ad Exchange in China

Google is always rolling out something or other, and this week it was DoubleClick Ad Exchange. The service has launched in China, giving local businesses a new online advertising option. Sure, it’s not quite as exciting as augmented-reality glasses, but hey…advertising options! Who doesn’t love those?

4. Market Leaders Emerging in China’s Group Buy Space

Spring has come to China’s group buy sector after a long, harsh winter in which many group buy companies froze to death, much like the Pilgrims. Of course, like the Pilgrims, the few group buy companies that have emerged, gaunt and blinking, into the spring sunshine aren’t necessarily too sure what’s going on, but the sheer fact that they have survived puts them in front of the competition. Which, as I previously mentioned, is dead. But there’s always the hope that e-commerce companies will take them under their wing and, like the Native Americans, teach these group buy companies to grow corn…OK, this metaphor is falling apart. I’m willing to admit that it may never have made sense in the first place. Just click the link!

5. China’s Internet Population to Double US and Japan Combined by 2015

China has so many people, you guys. So many. They’re all getting on the internet now, and it’s pretty freakin’ cool.

That’s it for this week’s mumble mumble something about our China section and China RSS feed. See you next week, assuming China’s internet still connects to anyone else’s!