Information/Technology - 97. page

The highly visible “Hangzhou City Computer Information Network Safety Protection Management Regulation” went into effect in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province on May 1, 2009. The regulation states that no company or person may use computer networks to spread rumors, disturb social order, or destroy social stability; encourage the public to criticize others, expose others’ privacy, or make even subtle personal attacks; or publicly insult or fabricate lies to slander others. On-line service providers must record the valid identification information of the user when he/she is applying for service. [1]

Yangcheng Evening News published several articles to point out that the internet users’ dismay about the tighter government’s restriction over freedom of speech on the Internet. [2] [3] [4]

Source:
[1] Zhejiang News, May 1, 2009
http://www.zj.chinanews.com.cn/detail/1118252.shtml
[2] Yangcheng Evening News, May 2, 2009
http://www.ycwb.com/news/2009-05/02/content_2124053.htm
[3] Yangcheng Evening News, May 3, 2009
http://www.ycwb.com/sp/2009-05/03/content_2124295.htm
[4] Yangcheng Evening News, May 4, 2009
http://www.ycwb.com/misc/2009-05/04/content_2124689.htm

Xinhua News republished an Oriental Morning Post article on April 7 regarding the official announcement of the new policy governing the private publishing industry in China. The policy clearly stated that private publishing will be included in the formal planning and administration of China’s overall publishing industry.

Due to the tight control the Chinese government has on the publishing industry, private publishing companies were constantly facing the pressure of a potential violation of government rules. However, while validating the status of the private publishing industry, the new policy also emphasizes the government’s role of "guiding" and "regulating" the behaviors of the private publishing companies.

The new policy is unclear about foreign capital’s role in the private publishing sector. The report stated a belief that the new policy will not heavily impact state-owned publishing companies.

Source: Oriental Morning Post, April 7, 2009.
http://epaper.dfdaily.com/dfzb/html/2009-04/07/content_123104.htm

Internet surfers in China are no longer able to visit the video sharing website Youtube.com, due to the site carrying some scenes of Tibetan monks being beaten by the Chinese Armed Policemen.

A spokesperson of the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Internet is open in China, but for national security purposes, it needs to be managed to prevent spreading “poisonous information.” He said that he is unaware of the case of Youtube.com.

BBC Chinese reported that since January, China has closed several hundred websites, including some popular blogs, as well as websites popular among Tibetans. Investigations confirm that China still blocks access to certain websites, including BBC Chinese.com.

Source: BBC Chinese, March 24, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7960000/newsid_7961100/7961110.stm

On December 16, 2008, www.people.com.cn, the website of Chinese government’s official newspaper the People’s Daily, started a kabushiki kaisha (public corporation) in Tokyo Japan, marking the first step in the agency’s overseas expansion.

The Japanese subsidiary operates a Japanese language version of the newspaper’s website (http://j.people.com.cn/) and the Japan channel of the paper (http://japan.people.com.cn). The former focuses on reporting China-related news to the general public in Japan, as its production and technology center is moving from Beijing to Tokyo. The latter, concentrating on reporting Japan-related news to people in China, is the only domestic news portal that specializes in Japan and the Sino-Japanese relationship.

Source: Xinhua, December 16, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/society/2008-12/16/content_10515261.htm

A recent scandal revealed that the “Chinese Football (Soccer) Association” changed a soccer player’s age to be two years younger. Yao Xiao came from Sichuan. The news was quite an embarrassment to the soccer fans from Sichuan since Yao was regarded as a real proud of those fans because he was claimed to be the youngest player in Chinese soccer history.

In an interview with a senior soccer coach from Liaoning, the reporter found out that the age alteration has been a hidden rule that was commonly practiced in soccer area and is no longer a secret. The practice was driven by the pursuit of winning through a team composed of an older age group because the reward and recognition to the coaches and team management are closely tied to their performance. The age alteration is not only a common practice among soccer players, the article wrote, it is also practiced among basketball players, track teams or even the soccer referees.

Source: Commercial Times, Liaoning Province, December 7, 2008
http://www.sdshang.com/MMM/P_Show.asp?id=7996

The Communist Politburo has issued a directive mandating further control of media as a preemptive strike against potential social unrest in 2009. A Politburo directive cited information from the State Security Department and from military intelligence sources indicating China will face severe challenges and crises because “anti-china forces, domestic and overseas are actively strategizing their activities.”  As a result, the Politburo has increased funding for the Communist Propaganda Department and the Ministry of Public Security.

At a meeting towards the end of November, the Party’s Propaganda Department decided to initiate a preemptive strike in anticipation of increasing social unrest in 2009.  It has blacklisted 6 print media and all websites except sina.com.  In addition, 55 media professionals have also also blacklisted.  “You should know that this is China.  The Internet has a border.  It is not a place where you can exercise your free will.  The Internet must be under the control of the Party.  It is the Party’s Internet as well as the mouthpiece of the Party,” said Mr. Chen of the Propaganda Department. 

Source: Boxun.com, December 4, 2008
http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china2008/12/200812040011.shtml

Belgian reporter Tom Van de Weghe of the Flemish public TV station VRT, his Australian cameraman and his Belgian assistant were in Henan province doing a report on AIDS in China when they were attacked and robbed by eight men recruited by the Henan provincial authorities, VRT said.

The eight men intercepted them while they were on their way to a village and demanded that they surrender the videotape of interviews they had already done. The crew handed over the videocassettes after being hit. Their assailants also took money, microphones and batteries.

VRT has demanded an apology and compensation. The Belgian government has asked the Chinese authorities for an explanation.

Source: BBC Chinese, December 2, 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7760000/newsid_7761000/7761098.stm

In a visit to China Central Television (CCTV) on November 13, Li Changchun, one of nine members of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) standing committee of the Politburo and head of the party’s propaganda policy, emphasized the implementation of Hu Jintao’s speeches on ideological work, instructing the network on its domestic and global strategy.

During his stay, Li was shown a demo of web TV, podcast, cell phone TV, and in-vehicle TV. He also talked to Edwin Maher, a Western news anchor of CCTV International.

CCTV, as China’s state-run television station, should faithfully follow the right direction, said the senior party official. Li urged the network to step up the migration from a domestic oriented traditional media to a modern media with a global vision. Li told CCTV to expand international channels, facilitate its overseas access, and strengthen its appeal by studying the psychology of domestic and oversea viewers. At the same time, developing web TV was regarded as an important strategic task, with the goal of building a nationwide platform for web video programs.

Li’s visit was accompanied by Liu Yunshan, Head of the Publicity Department of CCP’s Central Committee, and Liu Yandong, another member of the CCP’s Politburo.

Source: Xinhua, November 13, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-11/13/content_10355067_1.htm