Internet censorship in China

Internet censorship in the People's Republic of China means that the government controls what people can see and read online. This includes stopping people from learning about certain events or ideas that the government does not want shared. Many websites, apps, and games are blocked, which people call the Great Firewall of China. To block these websites, the government uses different methods like DNS spoofing and stopping access to certain IP addresses.

The government also makes sure that big websites and services in China watch what people post online. These services must ask for users' real names and other personal information. Many rules about what can be online have been made, and companies use technology to find and remove content that is not allowed.

Even with these rules, some people find ways to see blocked websites using special tools, but these tools are closely watched by the government. Some groups have said that China holds many people who speak out online, and the country is rated as not free in terms of online rights. However, places like Hong Kong and Macau are not under the same strict rules, though the government still watches how people use the Internet there.

See also: Mass surveillance in China and UN Chinese Language Day

Background

Further information: Censorship in China

One important idea behind controlling the Internet in China comes from a saying by a leader from the 1980s: "If you open a window for fresh air, you have to expect some flies to blow in." This idea appeared during a time when China was changing its economy and opening up to the world. The government wanted to keep its ideas safe by stopping other ideas that might cause trouble.

The Internet came to China in 1994 and quickly became a popular way for people to share information. The government worried that online groups could become hard to control, so they created projects to monitor and manage what people posted online. They also built systems to watch over Internet use and remove messages they thought were harmful.

Legislative basis

Further information: Public opinion guidance

The government of China says it has the right to control what people see online because of its own rules. In 2010, a document explained that China’s laws stop people from sharing things that could weaken the government, divide the country, or hurt its reputation. Foreign companies and individuals are allowed to use the Internet in China but must follow China’s laws.

China started controlling the Internet with three main rules. The first rule, made in 1996, said that Internet services need special permission and that all Internet traffic must go through certain paths set by the government. The second rule, from 1994, gave the Ministry of Public Security the job of keeping Internet safety. These rules helped shape how China manages online activities today.

Enforcement

In December 1997, new rules were created that allowed fines for certain types of online speech. These rules were often used in a loose way, with some websites blocked in one place but allowed in another. Sometimes, blocks were removed for special events, like when reporters asked about a block during an interview.

China bought special technology to help control what people see online. Companies like Google also helped at times, but later changed their policies. In 2011, a new office was created to manage internet rules in China. By 2014, this office had more power to watch over all online content.

In 2019, new rules were made to stop certain types of content, like things that could trick people or spread false ideas. During protests in 2022, companies were asked to watch more closely what people shared online.

Internet companies in China often watch what people post to make sure it follows the rules. Some companies post sensitive news and then remove it later if asked. Users are sometimes required to use their real names when posting online, and there have been cases where people were punished for posting certain kinds of messages.

Technical implementation

Current methods

Main article: Great Firewall of China § Blocking methods

The Great Firewall uses many ways to block content. These include stopping certain internet addresses, changing address lookups, and checking information closely to slow down or stop some activities. New tools also help find ideas that go against the rules.

Golden shield project

The Golden Shield Project is a big system made by the Ministry of Public Security of China. It started in 1998 and was checked and approved in 2006. Its goal is to create a network to help police work better and faster.

In 2009, a rule said that computers sold in China should include special software called Green Dam Youth Escort. Later, this rule changed, and only schools and public places needed to use it. Some people thought this software was just to block certain websites, but others believed it was used to control what people could see online.

Targets of censorship

See also: List of websites blocked in mainland China

China controls what people can see and read online. Many websites are blocked, including some big global sites. The government says this is to stop harmful content, but it also blocks news about certain events and topics.

Some topics that are often blocked include discussions about protests, freedom of speech, and certain political movements. Social media posts that talk about organizing protests or spreading rumors are also removed. The government uses technology to watch and control what people post online.

Specific examples of Internet censorship

Main article: 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre

The Chinese government controls what people can see and read online. They block information about certain events, like the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Websites and search engines must follow strict rules set by the government. For example, words related to the protests are blocked from being searched or talked about online.

During special times, like anniversaries of these events, the government has blocked many foreign websites and services. They also stop people from talking about these topics on social media. Even in more recent years, the government has used technology to stop posts about these events from appearing online.

Main article: COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China § Censorship and police responses

During the COVID-19 pandemic, China also controlled information about the virus. Some doctors who spoke up early were stopped from sharing their concerns. The government also blocked talks about the virus’s origins and used online tools to stop people from discussing the pandemic openly.

Other topics, like accidents, disagreements with other countries, and even pictures comparing a leader to a cartoon character, have also been blocked. The government wants to make sure only certain information is shared online, and they work hard to stop other views from spreading.

International influence

Main article: Chinese censorship abroad

Big companies like Yahoo!, AOL, and Microsoft Teams have to follow rules set by the Chinese government to work in China. This means they need to watch what people post online. For example, Microsoft removed some posts from its blogging service, Windows Live Spaces, because they did not follow these rules.

Some websites, like the Chinese version of Myspace, have extra rules that stop people from talking about certain topics, such as politics or religion. Users can also report others if they think they are doing something wrong.

There are also worries that China’s rules about the internet might be used to help its own companies grow, and some countries have asked big tech companies to stand up for people’s right to share ideas freely online.

Evasion

Main article: Internet censorship circumvention

People in China sometimes find ways to see information that is normally blocked. One common way is by using special internet connections called VPNs. These connections let users access the internet as if they were in another country, bypassing restrictions. However, the government has been working to block many of these services.

There are also other methods people use, like changing the address of websites or using special internet tools. Some people even use creative language to avoid being caught by the internet filters. These efforts show how some people try to find ways around the rules set by the government.

Economic impact

Local Chinese businesses like Baidu, Tencent, and Alibaba have grown because China has blocked international rivals from entering the market. This has helped local companies compete better.

The government's actions against certain online services have helped state-approved telecom companies grow. One company's profits increased by 140 percent in 2018, and its stock price rose by 166 percent that same year.