International   

China expands Internet controls

BEIJING: A top official in China has called for authorities to expand controls over cyberspace, even as a spate of recent restrictions imposed on the Internet has bucked a trend of growing online activism here.

In recent months, Chinese authorities have restricted access to dozens of websites, including the video-sharing website YouTube and the networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

The moves coincided with the People’s Republic of China marking four politically sensitive anniversaries this year, including the 60th anniversary of its founding on October 1.

Many bloggers and activists here expected the restrictions to be temporary as they came against a trend of loosening up of online controls and an unprecedented proliferation in the number of Internet users and websites. But one month on, the restrictions have remained in place.

Officials have defended the controls. Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu this week called for Beijing to “actively establish” a “comprehensive prevention and control social security system” over the Internet.

“The Internet is developing quickly and there are many loopholes in social management,” he said. “Maintaining social stability faces unprecedented new challenges.”

Bloggers here say his comments suggest that the recently imposed restrictions are here to stay.

This past decade, the spread of the Internet has given millions of ordinary Chinese a platform to freely express their views, with the State controlling all other forms of media. China has the most number of Internet users in the world — 360 million and rapidly growing — and more than 3 million websites and 100 million blogs.

The proliferation of online information has restricted the authorities’ ability to control the flow of information. Recent years have seen a surge in online activism, with bloggers routinely exposing local officials for corruption and bringing into the public sphere politically-sensitive issues that the state-controlled media cannot discuss.

Authorities recently introduced a law requiring Internet users to furnish their official identification numbers when they log on in cybercafés, which are widely used here.

Bloggers criticised the move, arguing it violated privacy and the freedom of expression.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Brown proposes tax on bank transactions
Israel’s claim of weapons ship linked to Goldstone report: Iran
China expands Internet controls
One more hearing but little progress in the 26/11 case
“Opposition cashing in on Fonseka’s popularity”
Obama calls for patience, calm after Texas shooting
Unknown Chaplin in antique container
Unusual meteorite found in Western Australia
Hindus in U.K. launch ‘Bhumi Project’ to tackle climate change
Prize for space elevator model
China-Africa meet in Cairo
Scientists discover 22 distant galaxies

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu