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China censors Obama's call for freedom on the internet
Ed Harris17 Nov 2009
The Chinese snubbed Barack Obama today after his message about censorship and free speech, made during a visit to the country yesterday, was censored.
In Shanghai, the US president urged China to relax its internet restrictions and embrace freedom of speech.
But the US president's message was blocked online and shown on only one regional television channel.
China has more than 250 million web users but is criticised for its "Great Firewall of China" - technology designed to prevent unwanted online traffic.
During a town hall meeting, Mr Obama responded to a question about the firewall - remarks that were later played down in the Chinese media and removed from some websites.
"I'm a big supporter of non-censorship," Mr Obama said. "I can tell you that in the United States, the fact that we have free internet - or unrestricted internet access - is a source of strength, and I think it should be encouraged."
Mr Obama may have been hoping to set an example to China's leaders when he said that free discussion, including criticism, makes him "a better leader because it forces me to hear opinions that I don't want to hear".
One prolific blogger, Hecaitou, said that a transcript of the exchange posted on the portal Netease was taken down by censors after 27 minutes.
It was streamed on two internet portals and on the White House's site, though the quality was poor and it was delayed inside China.
Speaking in Beijing today alongside Chinese president Hu Jintao, Mr Obama warned that there would be consequences if Iran did not demonstrate that its nuclear programme is "peaceful and transparent".
He said the US and China will work to confront the threat of nuclear weapons in Iran and North Korea.
