Zhang Chaoyang (Charles Zhang), the outspoken billionaire and founder of Sohu.com, one of China's earliest and largest web portals and the powerhouse behind the Beijing Games official website, says he wants his Chinese blog to have an English version, so a wider world audience would hear the country's voice.
"I hope my blog can add to the kaleidoscopic of views in today's era of Web 2.0," he told reporters attending a joint press conference with China Daily's senior editors.
The two news outlets signed a strategic partnership for the Olympics, agreeing to share news stories, blogs and other content as the Olympics draws nearer.
Zhang's company is running the official website of the Beijing Games organizers, while China Daily produces the country's official daily English-language newspaper, as well as the Olympian and Paralympic Village publications.
"I can speak some English. But if you want me to write that will be quite painful," said the 43-year-old Xi'an-born physics graduate from Tsinghua University and MIT. "So, I would love to have some senior English editors to help with it."
Last week, Zhang led a boycott of French retailers Louis Vuitton and Carrefour, after their shareholders Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) allegedly supported Tibetan separatists.
Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, denied an Internet report that said he had supported the Dalai Lama, saying he has never been involved in political or religious affairs, whether in Tibet or elsewhere.
"I personally support the boycott of French goods. What's more, I do not think that supporting the boycott makes one a fen qing ("young cynic"), while refusing it makes one a rational person," read an article in his blog on April 16, which drew over 14,000 comments and over 300,000 readers.
"The world once waited for China's return to the international community. Today, China also has the patience to await understanding of the world," said one commentator with the handle "Daughter Gao in UK".
Zhang's blog has recorded nearly 6 million hits since it opened in September 2005.
Zhang is a very busy man, having just returned from a special envoy mission with the torch relay in Greece. He's also a part-time alpinist, who conquered the 6,178 m Mount Yuzhu last year.
Zhang said his company would send a team to Mount Qomulongma when the Olympic torch goes to the roof of the world early next month.
