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China Mode 001

ChinaMode001, is an open competition for China's online community to vote on today’s current web innovations and services. Voters can nominate winners in a variety of categories, such as innovation in consumer applications, entertainment, work management, mobile applications, user communities and the most innovative company of the year. The competition was set up by a number of technology insiders themselves to encourage start up businesses to focus on creating innovative applications to facilitate entrepreneurial values in the ever-changing and competitive, complex industry.

The competition has a series of stages, with an audition round where the general public can nominate a candidate in each section. After votes from China's web community come in, a panel of experts selects the finalists for the second round of public voting. This year experts include a number of top business people, journalists, academics and bloggers from various industries like venture capital, advertising and research and development. The second round of voting began on the 13^th of December and lasts for two weeks until the 27^th. Winners are then announced on January 24^th so it’s time to get voting now. Several seminars will also take place to discuss several important issues in digital space from social gaming, social media and new technologies and trends.

The competition is a great way to get a feel for Chinese internet user’s preferences, what is currently popular and who are the people businesses and internet users need to pay attention too and look out for. It is also a great way for businesses to identify news ways to connect with users and discover new media channels that can be used to engage with customers. It also provides a good reflection of what is currently working in the industry, what isn’t and what direction the industry is heading in. The section on foreign applications also gives a good indicator on what external services appeal to the Chinese market and what the Chinese web is missing out on.

ChinaMode001 is excellent ways to showcase the talent of China's online environment as well explore the industry further. Check out the list of companies up for nomination here, and don’t forget to vote.