I just read on Danwei that 56.com has rejoined the ranks of the living after what, nearly six weeks in suspended animation. Welcome back, and may the company avoid any more near-death experiences! No explanations on the site so far, but it seems that SARFT is feeling generous right now. Earlier this week as you’ve likely already read, Youku.com was issued its audio-visual license, along with a video production license.

In the interest of full disclosure, on July 17 I will commence an advisory/consultative engagement with Youku.com, and accordingly will not be posting anything on this blog about the Chinese Internet video sharing sector other than links to other peoples’ stories, in the interest of maintaining impartiality.