Announcing OpenWeb.Asia Workgroup

We are very excited to announce the OpenWeb.Asia Workgroup (http://www.openweb.asia), the first workgroup in Asian Internet industry. OpenWeb.Asia Workgroup is a network of premium blogs focus on Asian Web industry. These sites build efficient channels between Asia web and global industry, and also enhance the inter-communication of local Internet markets.

The web industry is changing. The web platforms needs open and eventually we need open data. ‘Open’ is the hottest keyword and the trend of Internet market. Asia is most wanted market in the world, but it seems still an isolated place lost in translation.

What people know about Asia web? Baidu has been recognized the leading Chinese search engines; Tencent has a massive user base; Mixi is the leading portal in Japan and Japanese mobile market is very mature and special; Naver is the giant dominating Korean market and Cyworld is probably the only social network actively running out of Asia… What else? Internet is a global service, is also a culture thing. Due to the language barrier, many interesting stories have never been discovered by the global audience.

In Europe, there is LeWeb3 annual event for European bloggers and companies; globally, there are a number of conferences such as Web2.0 Expo, but there is only few focus on Asian web companies. A startup in a European country may soon become a popular name in Europe, but in Asia, people rarely hear the news out of neighbour country and region.

Asia needs open-up. Asia needs more stages where the local web industry can represent themselves. Asia needs more channels that can help local market in each country and region communicate and cooperate.

The editors of member sites of OpenWeb.Asia workgroup are all working closely in the local web industry of different Asian countries and regions. Currently workgroup has the member from China, Japan, Korea, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, HongKong and it is expected to expand to other countries/regions in Asia soon.

As a representative of Asia web, this workgroup will actively participate various global industry events and establish partnership with global Internet authorities. With the aid of this workgroup, we hope that the latest industry information, concept and technology can be better translated and adapted to Asia and more local companies and activities can be recognized and heard by the global market.

Asia must be a more active member of the global Internet industry in near future. So what is the first big thing coming out of the workgroup? We are very happy to say that the plan for OpenWeb Asia 08′ – the first pan-Asia conference is to be announced soon. Many thanks to Chang Kim from Korea, he is leading the organizing team this year. Global and local market leaders, startups, venture capitals, local officials are all welcome to this conference to share the vision of the future of Asia web.

Let’s enjoy the Asia web!

[update: Please join us on Facebook, OpenWeb.Asia Group; You can drop us an email (contact At openweb.asia) or contact any member of the group for any enquiry about OpenWeb.Asia Workgroup and OpenWeb Asia ’08 Conference.]