The site seems to show links to only "official" papers, television, and radio stations. I did not find any site of local media owned and controlled by the local Chinese. I forgive that since China is a developing country, the locals may not have enough education or resources to start up their own media. Despite this, I am surprised by the openness of the official media.

Recently, the Information Center mentioned controversial topics such as labor rights and human rights. The labor rights, was of course, represented in the news about the NPC session, and human rights were represented in three "free forum" discussions. (Not a bulletin board, but close enough.) The first was about confessions under torture, and the other two were about "free speech" by an advertising agency and a professor, respectively. Way to go, China!

Sincerely,

Hugo Lowenstein, of the US (California)

Dear Hugo Lowenstein:

Actually, we have a lot of local media in China - but few are in English!

Stay with us, we hope to bring more aboard.

Meanwhile, we will continue trying to do our best to communicate the country's realities and aspirations in an open and responsible way that we hope will promote an understanding of China for all who visit our website.

Thank you very much for writing.

Sincerely,

The Editors

(China.org.cn 10/18/2001)