Freedom and responsibility meet online in China
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While commenting on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's criticism of China's so-called "Internet repression," Zhai Huisheng, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, said that Chinese citizens have a fast, convenient channel to post online and get information from the Internet.
"As a matter of fact, even the United States does not have absolute Internet freedom. The government imposes strict restrictions on the spread of 'harmful information,'" said Zhai.
For example, a Facebook poll asking whether President Barack Obama should be killed was blocked and later triggered an investigation by the US secret service.
In the nineteenth century, Lord Acton, an English politician and writer, was quoted as saying "absolute power corrupts absolutely." His statement applies now to the possible problems like invasion of privacy or manipulation of public opinions that could stem from unchecked internet freedom, Zhai said.
China should be cautious about "Internet mercenaries," groups or individuals posting comments online to manipulate public opinion, Zhao Qizheng, spokesman for the annual session of the CPPCC National Committee, said.
Many people use this channel to exchange views and participate in political discussion, but some of them have been found to have disguised themselves as ordinary netizens and generated unusually huge number of comments to affect public opinion, or to disturb government policy-making, he said.
Others dream of spreading the unrest akin to that in the Middles East and North Africa to China in the form of "street politics", but it is impossible to succeed in the Chinese capital, said Wang Hui, director of the Information Office of Beijing Municipal Government.
Given the harm that could be caused if the Internet is used by manipulators, the draft 12th Five-Year Plan provides for "stronger Internet management to ensure state Internet and information security."
"What exactly is the freedom of speech? I believe it is not the indulgence to say whatever crosses your mind, but it should have the restraints of laws and morals," said Master Xuecheng.
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