If you can't beat them, join them – that's the snappily-titled Asia Business Consulting China blog's interpretation of the use of mobile phone texts by Chinese authorities to try and deter anti-Japanese protests.
The blogger's view is that, because many protests have been organised via SMS, the Chinese authorities must have decided that sending millions of texts to the public on Saturday would be a direct way of combating that.
The texts read: "Express patriotism rationally. Don't take part in illegal protests. Don't make trouble. Help by not creating trouble, love the nation by not breaking the law."
Today is a particularly tense day in Beijing because, following weeks of acrimony between China and Japan, it is the 86th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement demonstrations of 1919.
As well as sending out the texts, China has also recently clamped down on websites spreading calls for fresh protests. A recent article on BBC news online outlined the cat and mouse game protesters and authorities, both using modern technology, have been playing with each other.
Asia Business Consulting China wonders whether the texting phenomenon is a "sign of
China's total control" or of leaders attempting out to promote calm.
