It is no secret that the Chinese government exerts heavy control over the Internet. But if you think the government shuts down/controls access to only pro-market liberal websites, think again. Apparently, the government has also shut down websites that are critical of free market reforms:
China has some of the strictest Web controls in the world, with rigid registration procedures for Web sites and a special police force monitoring its 110 million Web surfers round the clock.
It mostly targets progressive content attacking the party’s monopoly on power and calling for democracy and civil liberties. In September, Yannan.cn, a major forum hosting liberal intellectual writings was shut down indefinitely.
Now the conservative sites of the “Chinese Workers” and the “Communists” have also been closed.
The two closed sites criticized the current development conditions in China, such as high inequality and corruption. One the one side, of course, there are arguments that more free market reforms are needed to address the development problems the country is facing. On the other side, there are those who argue that China should turn back to Communism to rid itself of the ills of free markets. The government seems to be keeping both the former and the latter in check.
Published Date: February 23, 2006