Two interesting observations from Michael Anti (aka Jing Zhao), a well known blogger in China:
"Chinese national internet policy is very simple: Block ans clone (...) On the one hand, he wants to satisfy people's need of a social network, (...) on the other hand they want to keep the server in Beijing so they can access the data any time they want. That's also the reason Google was pulled out from China. (...) once Netizens can't go online, they go on the streets!"
If you ever had doubts on the reliability of statistics from the Chinese government, here is an interesting fact:
According to the US Embassy in Beijing, the measure of air quality is148 (dangerous for sensitive groups), but according to China local ministry the data on air quality is 50 (good to go outside)!
"I live in Beijing. Every day, I just watch the American Embassy's data, to decide whether I should open my window."
Michatel Anti: Behind the Great Firewall of China, Ted.com, July 2012