Now that the Olympics are long gone, and the world has its eyes off of China, the country's government has returned to keeping an eye on what its 250 million Internet users can access. It appears China, which has the most web users in the world, only made superficial advances in freedom of the press during the games. In other words: censorship is back!
So which sites can you no longer visit in China? Chinese language versions of international sites like BBC, Voice of America, and Human Rights Watch have been rebanned, along with some Hong Kong-based sites, because they refer to Taiwan as an independent country and not part of China.
A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said China had the right to censor material deemed illegal, just like other governments do. For example, the US criminalizes online technology that can be used to violate copyright protections.
Are you surprised the legacy of the Beijing Olympics probably won't include expanded freedom?
Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
Chloﾎ
Repetto
Wait, how is this a surprise?
1Beijing was acting in its own self-interest with the Olympics and now, with the global economic crisis, I don't see any other country having any special leverage with it.
2lol I don't think anyone would be surprised. This is China after all.
3Guess who's not surprised? Me.
4Not surprised at all. This is what China does, and they are soooo paranoid about Taiwan.
5Well, Krae, they'll feel better now that Chen Shui-bian is out of the way.
(Side note: if you think Daily Show is merciless, you should hear some Taiwanese comedians ripping into that guy. Priceless.)
6Who could possibly be surprised by this? Seriously, China "made nice" ONLY for the duration of the Olympics... They got their foreign money, right? From those "tourists" from other countries who bought things while attending the games.
Now that's it's over, back to business - China's way.
7Zero percent surprised.
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