Due to its popularity with the great majority of Chinese netizens, micro-blogging has also been instrumental in helping with police crackdowns in criminal cases. A major case was solved with the help of forwarding and exchanging messages through micro-blogging last month in Xiamen, Fujian province.

Xiamen police released information of a murder case including details of the victim's pictures and asked for netizens' help to provide clues. It received more than 3,000 feedback messages and was forwarded 10,000 times. The case was solved six days later with clues from the public.

According to online records, dozens of local police had opened their official micro blogs in 2010, including in Beijing, and in provinces such as Shandong, Jiangsu and Fujian.

"In general, it is the fastest and most cost-effective way to bridge information between the government and the public," Zhou said. "I believe it will become one of the most commonly used methods in the future."

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