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It’s onerous to explain the sensation that got here after. It’s like everyone seems to be coming to you and every kind of data from all around the world is converging towards you and [people are] telling you: Hey, what’s occurring right here; hey, what’s occurring there; are you aware, that is what’s occurring in Guangzhou; I’m in Wuhan, Wuhan is doing this; I’m in Beijing, and I’m following the large group and strolling collectively. Immediately all of the real-time data is being submitted to me, and I don’t know how you can describe that feeling. However there was additionally no time to consider it.
My coronary heart was beating very quick, and my arms and my mind have been continuously switching between a number of software program packages—as a result of you already know, you may’t save a video with Twitter’s net model. So I used to be continuously switching software program, enhancing the video, exporting it, after which posting it on Twitter. [Editor’s note: Li adds subtitles, blocks out account information, and compiles shorter videos into one.] By the top, there was no time to edit the movies anymore. If somebody shot and despatched over a 12-second WeChat video, I’d simply use it as is. That’s it.
I acquired the biggest quantity of [private messages] round 6:00 p.m. on Sunday night time. At the moment, there have been many individuals on the road in 5 main cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Guangzhou. So I principally was receiving a dozen personal messages each second. Ultimately, I could not even display screen the knowledge anymore. I noticed it, I clicked on it, and if it was value posting, I posted it.
Folks all around the nation are telling me about their real-time conditions. To ensure that extra individuals to not be at risk, they went to the [protest] websites themselves and despatched me what was occurring there. Like, some followers have been driving bikes close to the presidential palace in Nanjing, taking photos, and telling me concerning the scenario within the metropolis. After which they requested me to tell everybody to be cautious. I believe that’s a very transferring factor.
It’s like I’ve progressively grow to be an anchor sitting in a TV studio, getting countless data from reporters on the scene all around the nation. For instance, on Monday in Hangzhou, there have been 5 or 6 individuals updating me on the newest information concurrently. However there was a break as a result of all of them have been fleeing when the police cleared the venue.
On the significance of staying goal
There are plenty of tweets that embellish the reality. From their viewpoint, they assume it’s the suitable factor to do. They assume you need to maximize the outrage in order that there is usually a revolt. However for me, I believe we want dependable data. We have to know what’s actually occurring, and that’s crucial factor. If we have been doing it for the emotion, then ultimately I actually would have been a part of the “overseas affect,” proper?
But when there’s a information account exterior China that may report what’s occurring objectively, in actual time, and precisely, then individuals contained in the Nice Firewall gained’t have doubts anymore. At this second, on this fairly excessive scenario of a steady information blackout, to have the ability to have an account that may maintain posting information from all around the nation at a velocity of virtually one tweet each few seconds is definitely a morale increase for everybody.
Chinese language individuals develop up with patriotism, in order that they grow to be shy or don’t dare to say one thing immediately or oppose one thing immediately. That’s why the group was singing the nationwide anthem and waving the pink flag, the nationwide flag [during protests]. It’s a must to perceive that the Chinese language individuals are patriotic. Even when they’re demanding issues [from the government], they do it with that sentiment.
