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China Does U-Turn, Lifts Ban On Websites

Posted by kdawson on from the by-some-definitions-of-complete dept.

krou sends in a Guardian (UK) article reporting that overnight talks with the International Olympic Committee have resulted in the Chinese government lifting a ban on websites such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the BBC Chinese language service "in Beijing, Shanghai and possibly further afield." Websites with information on the Falun Gong, Chinese dissidents, the Tibetan government in exile, and the 1989 military crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests are still inaccessible. (We've been discussing Chinese Olympic censorship right along.) Quoting: "A spokesman for Amnesty International said: 'It's good news that our site has been unblocked in Olympic venues and perhaps elsewhere in Beijing, but it is still a long way from the "complete media freedom" promised. It seems public outrage has succeeded where the IOC's "quiet diplomacy" had failed.' Chinese engineers quoted in an article in the Atlantic Monthly said they had been told to prepare to unblock access for a list of specific internet protocol addresses to used by foreign visitors. But Andrew Lih, a new media author in Beijing, said it seemed the authorities might have simply decided it was easier to lift blocks for everyone. 'It's possible [to block individual locations] but would be very complicated,' he said."

7 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. Re:U-Turn? by 4D6963 · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's no U-turn. At best, it's a hard left.

    So that's more like a L-turn then?

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    You just got troll'd!
  2. I confirm it! by vivaoporto · · Score: 4, Funny

    Right now I'm browsing the sites mentioned on TFA and nothing happ&/"$%& NO CARRIER

  3. Re:U-Turn? by databyss · · Score: 3, Funny

    What do you mean?

    We've always been at war with the Eurasians.

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    Hmmm witty sig or funny sig? Maybe elitest techy sig!
  4. Re:Makes little difference by negRo_slim · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yes, I am full of hope for the armored train races. I maintain a good outlook that Kim shall triumph over his competitors.

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    On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
  5. Re:Interesting... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    American visitor dies in a robbery.

  6. Re:U-Turn? by mrboyd · · Score: 3, Funny

    Come the end of the game and everyone will see it's just a roundabout...

  7. Re:U-Turn? by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 1, Funny

    Thank you for admitting that China is a rightwing paradise, the kind everyone is heading for by letting corporate mafiosos control our countries.

    And for admitting that freedom is "left" of that kind of fascism on the political spectrum.

    Anonymous Cowards have their uses, even if they don't realize it.

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    make install -not war