Microblogging in China The website's layout, API, and mode of use was highly similar to Twitter, which was created earlier in 2006. Fanfou's users increased from 0.3 million to 1 million in the first half of 2009. The users included HP China, the "Southern Weekly", artist Ai Weiwei, writer Lian Yue () and TV commentator Liang Wendao (). Some other weibo services, such as Jiwai, Digu, Zuosa and Tencent's Taotao were launched in 2006-2009. After the July 2009 Ürümqi riots, the CPC government shut down most of the domestic weibo services, including Fanfou and Jiwai. Many popular non China-based microblogging services such as
Han Jian (Weibo warlord) was then named Han Junxiong) was a long-time officer at Weibo Circuit, and seized control of the circuit when the soldiers mutinied in 870 against then-military governor ("Jiedushi") He Quanhao and killed He Quanhao due to He Quanhao's harsh discipline. Han Jian became deputy military governor after his father became military governor. After Han Yunzhong died in 874, the Weibo soldiers supported Han Jian to succeed him, and then-ruling Emperor Xizong agreed, making Han Jian acting military governor initially, and then full military governor in 875. He gave Han Jian the honorary chancellor designation of "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi" (同中書門下平章事)