Which is why Katherine Ye Zi, an English-language teacher, selected the class of Internet trailblazers from the different ethnic groups.

CNN: On-line in Yunnan

Ye's proportions give her an edge, Wood says.

WSJ: Menu

As an art professor at the Sichuan Institute, who teaches 40 students one month each semester in Dali, Mr. Ye believes you can't always dictate the terms of creativity.

WSJ: Inside the Home and Studio of Ye Yongqing