Government control over Internet untrue, FM spokesman

The accusation against the Chinese government of controlling the Internet is groundless, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular press conference Thursday.

When asked to comment on the request by the International Press Association (IPA) to stop online news censorship, Liu said that we have repeatedly affirmed the Chinese government's attitude towards this matter.

The fact can be clarified by a few simple figures, said Liu. The number of Net users in China has by now exceeded 110 million. Through the open channel of the Net, the Chinese people are able to get important and necessary information. There are about more than 1.3 million BBS in China according to incomplete statistics. These BBS are frequently visited and you can see various opinions there. The Chinese government does not exercise control over these opinions.

Of course, censorship is necessary for unsound information such as those pornographic, violent and harmful to social stability, said Liu, adding that such a practice is also found in other countries, including western countries. Besides, related measures are taken within the framework of law.

As for press freedom, Liu pointed out that currently China sees more than 2,000 newspapers and 8,000 to 9,000 magazines. Such a huge number of media convey all kinds of opinions. We believe that media supervision does good to government work and social progress. Of course, journalism must be put under law.

By People's Daily Online