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China web conference opens amid internet freedom criticism | China web conference opens amid internet freedom criticism |
(about 5 hours later) | |
China has opened its first world internet conference with a call for more controls on cyberspace. | |
State internet information director Lu Wei told delegates in Wuzhen that China wanted a global internet governance system that was democratic and open. | |
But rights groups have voiced criticism of Beijing's internet practices. | |
China has a quarter of the world's internet users - more than 600 million. It also conducts a sophisticated censorship programme. | |
Observers say the World Internet Conference is part of China's aim to play a bigger role in the management of global cyberspace. | |
The conference will include sessions on global internet governance, cyber security and mobile internet, according to the organisers, the Cyberspace Administration of China, which is the country's top internet watchdog. | The conference will include sessions on global internet governance, cyber security and mobile internet, according to the organisers, the Cyberspace Administration of China, which is the country's top internet watchdog. |
"We will strengthen communications and seek common ground while resolving differences to establish a multilateral, democratic and transparent international internet governance system," Lu Wei, director of China's state internet information office, told the conference. | |
"Join us in building up a peaceful, safe and open and co-operative cyberspace." | |
Along with Chinese technology firms, representatives from global companies including Apple, Amazon and Microsoft are attending. | Along with Chinese technology firms, representatives from global companies including Apple, Amazon and Microsoft are attending. |
The Chinese government routinely blocks thousands of foreign websites including news providers and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. | The Chinese government routinely blocks thousands of foreign websites including news providers and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. |
"Internet freedom is under attack by governments across the world. Now China appears eager to promote its own domestic internet rules as a model for global regulation," said William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International in a statement ahead of the meeting. | "Internet freedom is under attack by governments across the world. Now China appears eager to promote its own domestic internet rules as a model for global regulation," said William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International in a statement ahead of the meeting. |
"This should send a chill down the spine of anyone that values online freedom." | |
'Control and suppression' | 'Control and suppression' |
At the conference Vice Premier Ma Kai, the highest-ranking Chinese official attending, said all countries should severely strike at internet terrorism activities and work together against cyber-attacks. | At the conference Vice Premier Ma Kai, the highest-ranking Chinese official attending, said all countries should severely strike at internet terrorism activities and work together against cyber-attacks. |
"All countries should strengthen co-operation and fully respect the different concerns that each nation has towards internet security," he said according to the AFP news agency. | "All countries should strengthen co-operation and fully respect the different concerns that each nation has towards internet security," he said according to the AFP news agency. |
Jack Ma, founder of e-commerce company Alibaba, told the conference: "The Chinese internet has influenced and changed Chinese society and the Chinese economy," AFP reports. | |
Chinese internet companies including Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu now compete against global giants such as Google and Amazon. | Chinese internet companies including Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu now compete against global giants such as Google and Amazon. |
Earlier this week the so-called great firewall of China ramped up censorship, with authorities blocking a major internet hosting company and cloud service provider. The EdgeCast content delivery network reported that thousands of its websites and mobile apps had been partially blocked. | Earlier this week the so-called great firewall of China ramped up censorship, with authorities blocking a major internet hosting company and cloud service provider. The EdgeCast content delivery network reported that thousands of its websites and mobile apps had been partially blocked. |
BBC China editor Carrie Gracie says armies of censors delete any content from Chinese citizens that propaganda chiefs object to, and courts sometimes jail those responsible. | BBC China editor Carrie Gracie says armies of censors delete any content from Chinese citizens that propaganda chiefs object to, and courts sometimes jail those responsible. |
"China's internet model is one of extreme control and suppression," said Mr Nee from Amnesty. | "China's internet model is one of extreme control and suppression," said Mr Nee from Amnesty. |
The attendees of the conference, which runs from the 19-21 November, will be allowed access to sites such as Google and Facebook, which are normally blocked in China. | The attendees of the conference, which runs from the 19-21 November, will be allowed access to sites such as Google and Facebook, which are normally blocked in China. |
China does ease its controls on the internet for high-profile events. Those attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in Beijing earlier this month were given access to Facebook and Twitter as well. |