"The Web best reflects the sometimes relaxed, sometimes strict control the Chinese authorities keep over the flow of information about trends outside the country," says Li Ming. Higher-ups often consider that "refusing to loosen control" is the safest approach.
「網路是最能反映中國當局對外國流行資訊管制忽鬆忽緊雜沓腳步的，」李明說，高層往往認為「不放鬆」是最安全的做法。