Chinese Government Blocks Access to Google

World IT Report, Apr 9, 2003

The Chinese government has blocked access to the US-based search engine Google as of Saturday.

According to analysts, the government openly attempts to control web content in China, where the Internet threatens Communist Party control over the media. It blocks several foreign news sites and frequently forces domestic sites to expunge content deemed unwholesome.

China's media censors tend to be particularly edgy during politically sensitive times, analysts said, and a Google block may be an attempt to sweep up ahead of the Party congress, which is expected to see sweeping leadership changes. - (World IT Report.com)