The Great Firewall of China
“From now on, Beijing will not encourage the development of internet bars”
Mayor Liu Qi
Sad news today… the internet cafes which helped us create and maintain this site in China are closed or about to close as a result of a fire in a PC bar in Beijing. So I guess this’ll be one of the last messages I can get through to all the good people we met in the “People’s” Republic. See you on the other side of the firewall, my friends…
Read the BBC news report here, or if you live in China (where the BBC’s site is blocked) email me and I’ll send you a copy.
Posted by Christian
hyun kyung Kim says:
June 18th, 2002 at 6:45 am
hey!
(Because I’ve never wrote something down here, I think I must introduce me first)
I’m a one of huge fans’ your weblog living in yeoido in Seoul, Korea. name hyun kyung, 17 years old, female. After seeing article about you in newspaper:Cho Sun Il bo I came here.
And I’ve really enjoyed and had fun in here! But now this message makes me so dipressed.
well, though I know It’d be hard but I’d like you to find somewhere you can maintain here as soon as possible, even somewhere is illegal cyber cafe.
And Don’t forget there is korean fan of you! ^ ^
Take care! Bye!
Chris says:
June 18th, 2002 at 7:01 am
Thanks for your comment, hyun kyung, and welcome!
We have no problems here in Korea - the internet here is fast, reliable, and everywhere! This article refers to China, which we travelled through on our way to Korea from London, and where we met many friendly people.
The Chinese government does not like the openness of the internet - they want to control the Chinese people’s access to information. To them, the internet is a threat, and they are using the fire in an internet cafe in Beijing as an excuse to shut them all down.
To me, the internet is something that can bring people together - for example, this site has allowed us to have a conversation even though we’ve never met. It’s one of the things that I love most of all about this medium, and one of the things that I hope will change China for the better. Even if it takes some time…
hyun kyung says:
June 18th, 2002 at 7:26 am
SoOOOOrry! I think I’ve mistaken your journal. lol
Anyway. first thanks for your fast reply and second It’s good to know that I was wrong.
Have a good day!
I hope you to meet a lot of good korean, and good aspect of korea.
the boy noble says:
June 18th, 2002 at 8:05 am
It seems the Chinese government’s media paranoia is spreading - although not terrible news to all, The Daily Telegraph’s site has now been blocked in China.
Chris says:
June 18th, 2002 at 11:37 am
hyun kyung - we’re having a fine old time here in Seoul… looking forward to the Korea v. Italy game tonight. Go Korea!
tim - surprises me not… but saddens me still.