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Washington, D.C. -- Today Congressman David Wu addressed the US-China Security Commission. Congressman Wu's remarks focused on the continuing efforts of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to block and censor internet usage in China.
"As someone who aspires to a democratic and prosperous China, I am pleased to present my views today and look forward to working with this Commission to help develop America's policy on China," said Congressman David Wu. "For the past decade, e-commerce and websites like sohu.com, sina.com, and Yahoo China are popularizing internet use in the PRC. China's approximately 78 million internet users constitute the world's second largest online population. As the market grows, entrepreneurs are rushing to China to cash in on potential business opportunities. I believe America should not lose sight of its core values of promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law."
In the last year, the PRC government graduated from simply blocking certain objectionable websites, including popular news sites like the New York Times and the Washington Post, to increasingly sophisticated and intensive censorship efforts.
Both the US State Department and other human rights sources documented a Chinese internet police force in excess of 30,000. These "net cops" censor online conversations at real time and block out anything they consider inappropriate. Aside from taking down web content, PRC officials also work to take down the physical infrastructure of the internet. In 2004, the Chinese authorities shut down more than 12,575 internet cafes.
China also forces companies to practice self-censorship. A specific example would be Yahoo China. Because of their need to operate in PRC and business' fear of being censored or blocked, they cooperate with the PRC.
The PRC compels businesses to sign its "Public Pledge on Self Discipline for China's Industry." More than 300 companies signed the pledge, including the popular Sina.com and Sohu.com, as well as foreign-based Yahoo's China Division. Those who signed the pledge agree not to spread information that 'breaks laws or spreads superstition or obscenity.' They also promised to refrain from 'producing, posting, or disseminating' pernicious information that may jeopardize state security and disrupt social institutions.
"I believe that the American people consented to a bilateral trade agreement with China because we not only want to trade with that country, but also because we believe in spreading universal values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Instead of spreading these important values through trade, American ventures in China are forced to submit to PRC's oppressive standards. They cannot operate in the same openness that has not only made Silicon Valley the envy of the technology world, but also promotes the traditional American strength of openness and value for human dignity and democratic governance. This approach to internet usage inhibits both economic and democratic growth," said Wu.
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