Earilier today Barack Obama had one of his famous ‘Town Hall Meetings’ in Shanghai, where he took questions from Chinese youth in attendance and from questions posed on the internet. Naturally, there were some interesting responses to all this on Twitter. As a sort of exercise in ‘Twitter coverage,’ I tried experimenting with Chris’ TwitBlog tool to copy some of the responses here:

Photo: Reuters

On Sister Cities, Shanghai & Chicago

Sannri: Rt @808lika #ObamaCN Obama answers that Shanghai/Chicago sister cities have mutual interest in clean energy and reducing carbon footprint.

(strangely not many people tweeted on this softball question.)

On Women and ‘Universal Rights’

comradewong: #ObamaCN Interesting that he didn’t mention “human rights.” It’s “universal rights” now.

jstauffacher: #ObamaCN Obama cleverly uses example of children & women to underline idea of “universal values

cankles: Obama talks about universal ideals and values – Child labor and women’s rights #ObamaCN

blogdiva: OMG! did Obama just smacked the Chinese and their cultural practices against women? #ObamaCN

melodymuses: RT @natthedem: Obama: if you look at development around the world, one of the best indicators is how it treats its women #ObamaCN

kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN Forced labor for children – “may have taken part in many countries, including the United States.” Then women, also safe territory.

@baratunde: “i think it’s important that the united states affirm the rights of women around the world” – #ObamaCN.

On US stance on Taiwan

asia6667: Cut the feed! Cut the feed!! Taiwan #obamacn

davidonformosa: Obama states support for One China policy and improved cross-strait relations. Doesn’t state support for Taiwan’s democracy. #ObamaCN

@chungmedia: Obama’s answer on Taiwan question cut to black screen on our CNN at home #obamaCN

kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN He ALMOST said “…between Taiwan and the rest of [China],” then caught himself and said, “…er, the People&aposs Republic of China”

texinchina: #ObamaCN definitely didn’t fully address the Cross-Straits question, but the $ part of the answer was a clever piece.

alexco: Obama skates around directly saying if they will continue to sells weapon to Taiwan. #ObamaCN

natthedem: Obama: Hope that we will continue to see improvement in relations between Taiwan and the People’s Republic. #ObamaCN

mikekwan: On cross-straight relations btwn Taiwan & China: We support One China policy, we don’t want to change it #ObaMAO #ObamaCN

bokane: Audience applause for question about US support for arms sales to Taiwan. #ObamaCN

ThePhoenixSun: Internet question from Taiwan draws applause from students. #ObamaCN

Tortue: One China Policy rules #ObamaCN

On the Nobel Prize and the ‘recipe for success’

bjsunlove: “I don’t know that there’s a recipe or curriculum for how to win the Nobel Prize.” A CN student wants the formula…of course. #ObamaCN

kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN Zhu Yuetian from Fudan School of Management asks about education experiences that lead to Nobel Prize. Hmmm…

natthedem: Obama: All of us have an obligation to promote peace in the world. It is not easy to do. #ObamaCN

clemtan: Hmm, why is Obama alternating between guys and girls when taking questions? Stupid question on recipe for Nobel Prize “success” #ObamaCN

raykwong: Lots of smiles in the audience as young coed asks Obama about Nobel Peace prize. #ObamaCN

zsazsa: ha! student asking Pres Obama about receiving the Nobel Prize for peace. #Obamacn

tomsp: #ObamaCN Ha ha – Chinese student: “Why did you win Nobel prize for peace?” It&aposs getting warm out there…

shanghaiist: Apparently there’s no curriculum or course of study that guarentees you a nobel peace prize in the future. #ObamaCN http://ow.ly/CDao

blogdiva: to the wankpublicans: “i don’t think i deserve the (Nobel) prize” but he accepts it as symbol of the world’s renewed view of US #ObamaCN

OurManinSH: Obama asked about campus life during his time at university #ObamaCN – How to be successful? — Be curious, be open to new ideas #ObamaCN

On the ‘Great Firewall,’ Twitter, and Information Freedom

tomsp: #ObamaCN Q delivered by US ambassador to China – “Have you heard of great firewall & should people be able to use twitter?” Ha ha.

ttmh: RT @aimeenbarnes: NICE. “Do you know of the Firewall? Should we be able to use Twitter freely?” #ObamaCN

@mranti: CNN Sucks. It just stops live when Obama answering Internet freedom question. #ObamaCN

dankee817: Obama says his thumbs are too clumsy and never used Twitter but believes in free flow of information #obamacn

@gadyepstein: #ObamaCN CNN is doing its own self-censoring now, cutting to commentator instead of president. #CNNFail

gadyepstein: #ObamaCN CNN still talking over this answer by Obama about the Internet.

tomsp: #ObamaCn interesting that White House is broadcasting Obama uncensored but CNN, supposedly the media, is censoring stuff on internet freedom

ShanghaiTWTR: obama doesn’t use twitter! how many people are unfollowing @barackobama right now? #obamacn

bryaneder: Obama extols the virtues of internet access saying it promotes Democracy, business and understanding in the world #ObamaCN

gonzeinstein: Obama not even swinging — much less swinging and missing — on the Great Firewall question. #ObamaCN

jaredrhall: #ObamaCN Predictable Internet openness question, but surprisingly unpolished answer

dufffader: #ObamaCN am I right if I assume chinese censors are having a busy time pressing the “block/unblock” button this afternoon?

davesgonechina: #ObamaCN better answer to GFW question: “Everyone should be able to read @shitmydadsays” (which has a sitcom deal now).

cankles: Answer: I believe in openness of information to hold governments accountable and encourages creativity. I support non-censorship #ObamaCN

isaac: eventually the embassador bypassed onsite censorship to ask out the censorship issue, how funny #obamacn

AnitaMedia: http://twitpic.com/pq83k – Obama: I have never used Twitter but I am an advocate of technology and not restricting internet access. #ObamaCN

baratunde: “as president of the united states there are times when i wished information didn’t flow so freely ” #ObamaCN (smiley is part of quote)

tomsp: #ObamaCN “freedom of info makes it easier to hold govts to account and encourages free and original thought.”

natthedem: Obama says openness forces him to hear voices that he wouldn’t otherwise listen to. #ObamaCN

michetravi: RT @1rick: Obama fields twitter question. Twittersphere collectively begins masturbating. #obamacn

charlieflint: #obamacn Chinese audience: “Huh? Google? Vaguely rings a bell…”

@kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN Gets his Google timetable way wrong. 20 years ago Sergey and Larry were what, in junior high? Oh well.

LauraAndRudy: “More free information flows, strong the society becomes…think for themselves, encourages creativity” Obama re: Twitter, et al #ObamaCN

@bokane: OK, so these questions sucked, even the attempt at #GFW related 擦边球 with the Twitter question. Lame lame lame. #ObamaCN

natthedem: Obama: The more open we are, the more we can communicate. #ObamaCN

ursulas: RT @blogdiva: i’ve always been a great supporter of open internet, no censorship-unrestricted internet access should be encouraged #ObamaCN

On Afghanistan and Terrorism

yinh: #ObamaCN Student rep of “China’s youth netizens”: Is terrorism still the greatest security concern, esp. re: Afghanistan?

K_Ova: RT @baratunde: damn good afghanistan question for our president. Chinese kids are mad smart! #ObamaCN

StrandedMariner: RT @wikiwackywoo: Not exactly a softball question re Afghanistan and not a softball answer either. #obamacn

kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN “We also have to think about what motivates young people to become terrorists.” Culprits include “perversion of religion,” but more

Populista: Indeed. RT @natthedem O talking about a strategy that gets at the root causes of terrorism. Once again, so grateful that he’s POTUS #ObamaCN

natthedem: Obama: Part of what we want to do in Afghanistan is train teachers, improve schools and improve agriculture. #ObamaCN

gadyepstein: #ObamaCN Answering on terrorism, addresses question of what makes someone a suicide bomber

katherineUSC: #obamacn Terrorism? So outdated …talk about environmental / climate change idiots Shanghai students !! Ask sth related to your own govt

@raykwong: “One of the hardest things about my job is ordering young men and women into the battlefield.” #ObamaCN

tomsp: #ObamaCN come off it Obama – the US helped create the Taliban!

raykwong: Last question: What is the greatest security concern of the United States? BO answer: “Terrorist networks like Al-Qaeda.” #ObamaCN

socratic: Obama ties terrorism to lack of education and opportunity. Not just “evilness.” Great answer. #ObamaCN

kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN Implicit link between Shanghai and NY in potential victimization by terrorist. Interesting. Signaling continued GWOT partnership?

natthedem: Obama: The greatest threat to US security are terrorist networks like Al Qaeda. #ObamaCN

Miscellaneous Tweets

@kaiserkuo #ObamaCN “Power in the 21st century is no longer a zero-sum gain…. We do not seek to contain China’s rise.”

profpjm: the secret service agents at the event look menacing and tough #obamacn http://twitpic.com/pq926

kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN Wish they’d have filtered out for completely banal questions. Brings out that patronizing tone I find irksome.

@katherineUSC: he only good question was from the US ambassador. All questions from students were insane !! #obamacn

Populista: RT: @socratic: Obama exhorts Chinese students to think in new ways and not accept the conventional wisdom. Important, that. #ObamaCN

sairy: I hope these students know how incredibly lucky they are to have such an open dialogue with President Obama. #obamacn

@kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN Really interesting to hear Obama unscripted on China-related issues. No surprises thus far.

sheilazhao: Thinks the questions to Obama kinda sucks… #ObamaCN

socratic: The people Obama admires most are those who think beyond themselves. Liberalism ftw. #ObamaCN

get_bent: The bald white guy in front of Obama looks like he’s prepared to intercept a shoe #obamacn

profpjm: RT @edhenrycnn: http://twitpic.com/pq7ax – in red scarf keeps practicing her Q aloud. So excited she’s shaking said “so nervous” #obamacn

bokane: RT @blackChinahand: oh my god … it’s an audience of ringers Who chose them? #obamacn

natthedem: Obama closes the town hall by inviting students to visit the United States. Obama steps off stage and the Secret Service swarms. #ObamaCN

theambershow: American Chinese teamup/take over. IT BEGINS. #obamacn

blogdiva: bwahaha! #ObamaCN RT @almondjoi: Yup. It’s a shame. RT @TheInfamousE: these chinese students ask tougher questions than all of the US media

gadyepstein: #ObamaCN Now he’s asking them if they can use knives and forks.

austinramzy: Xinhua&aposs updates of Obama town hall mentions GFW, block on Twitter #ObamaCN http://bit.ly/2LyXwm

bryaneder: Obama says perversion of religion is one factor that motivates young people to become suicide bombers. #ObamaCN

get_bent: A lot of easy questions. Who do these students think they are? The Bush White House press corps? #obamacn

tomsp: #ObamaCN someone has to lob a shoe at Obama, surely, for form’s sake at least?

clemtan: Town Hall with China youths Obama’s way of cajoling Chinese people to greater responsibility on the world stage? #ObamaCN

808lika: RT @kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN Making money as a salve against ideological rigidity. Love it.

ChicagoDiane: Interesting! RT @Chinkerfly: There’s more women than men enrolled in college in China? I never would have guessed that #obamacn

cankles: When people want to make money they think less about ideology – very true. #ObamaCN

ShanghaiNathan: RT @kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN “The second highest number of foreign students come from China. 50% increase in study of Chinese by American stu …

@kaiserkuo: #ObamaCN Nice references to people-to-people cooperation during WWII, and to Ping Pong Diplomacy.

@aimeenbarnes not-so-positive tweets bout… 100,000 US students studying in China…Interesting #obamacn like5am outside propgda in wudk

gadyepstein: #ObamaCN On America’s diversity: “When you see family gatherings in the Obama household, it looks like the United Nations.”

blogdiva: the faces of the kids in the #ObamaCN town hall, they’re just eating him up

davesgonechina: Diversity question: did it have a point? Felt passive aggressive. #ObamaCN

gadyepstein: #ObamaCN That was it. Compliments everybody on their English. Yikes.