http://www.couscousglobal.com/id/3901 2009-07-01T11:55:34+02:00

<p>18-06-2009</p>

<p><a href="http://shanghaiist.com/2009/06/16/chinese_netizens_reactions_to_iran.php">shanghaiist.com/2009/06/16/chinese_netizens_reactions_to_iran.php</a></p> <p> On June 12, the tenth ever Iranian presidential elections were held in Iran and two days later, the publicized outcome catalyzed an explosive reaction.</p> <p>Sitting President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, had won the election over his main competitor, Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Several analysts and journalists from the U.S. and U.K. expressed doubts about the authenticity of the results. So, it seems, did many of Mousavi's backers - who have been fighting what they called a &quot;deeply flawed&quot; election through protest demonstrations. Aka lots and lots of rioting.</p> <p>So what does this have to do with China? As always, the curiosity of democracy evoked a strong reaction within the Chinese netizen community, especially when it seems to have failed. And after scouring the web for what was being said, it looks like a pretty huge proportion are in agreement that not only is Iran flawed, democracy is as well.</p> <p>Is it a case of 50 cent armies jumping on the chance to influence public debate, or really the thoughts of the bulk of the Chinese net-surfing peoples?</p> maartje nevejan http://www.couscousglobal.com/id/176 ARTICLE news