Obama to China: Tear Down this Firewall
Obama to China: Tear Down this Firewall
Posted 11/16/2009 at 1:05pm
| by Bart Salisbury
17
Comments
Print
At at townhall style session with Chinese students in Shanghai, President Obama spoke up for an uncensored Internet. “I am a big believer in technology and I’m a big believer in openness when it comes to the flow of information,” the President said in response to a student’s question, following up with “I think that the more freely information flows, the stronger the society becomes, because then citizens of countries around the world can hold their own governments accountable. They can begin to think for themselves. That generates new ideas. It encourages creativity.”
Mr. Obama was treading carefully, given the Chinese government’s careful control of Internet content, derisively referred to as “the great firewall.” During the days surrounding the 20th anniversary of Tiananmen Square, for example, the Chinese government blocked access to popular Web sites, such as Hotmail, Flickr and Twitter. (YouTube has been blocked since March.)
The President added: “I’ve always been a strong supporter of open Internet use. I’m a big supporter of non-censorship. This is part of the tradition of the United States that I discussed before, and I recognize that different countries have different traditions. I can tell you that in the United States, the fact that we have free Internet — or unrestricted Internet access is a source of strength, and I think should be encouraged.”
Mr. Obama’s comments were webcast, via the White House web site, but were only available in transcript form within China. Broadcast of the event was limited to Shanghai.
In a revealing movement, Mr. Obama confessed to be a Twitter virgin. “Well, first of all, let me say that I have never used Twitter. … My thumbs are too clumsy to type in things on the phone.”
Image: Pete Souza/The White House
More like this
hiremenow
November 16, 2009 at 6:31pm
(Next monday's headline will read "United States Department of Defense network hacked by what is believed to be a team of hackers hired by the Chinese government..."
logicmaster2003
November 16, 2009 at 3:13pm
This is a major NO-NO to President Obama for being a back-stabber of Chinese government, encouraging the students to protest the Internet firewall. Its like encouraging an anarchy or revolution, then the police will just come and beat them up and it will be Obama's fault.
I think Obama should "respect" the law of Chinese government while he is there, because it is their country and not Obama's. Just go with the flow and stop criticizing, there are much more important thing to talk about.
Vegan
November 16, 2009 at 5:26pm
There are more important things to talk about?? We have a closer relationship with China than any other country in the world. Almost everything we have comes from there (unfortunately; I truly wish we made more things). It's completely in our interest to see eye to eye with them.
Erenox
November 16, 2009 at 3:23pm
Encouraging the freedom of information in by no means encouraging a revolution or anarchy. He did not even encourage protesting. Did you even read the story?
"Go with the flow" -- if we cannot hold governments accountable for their actions surely we are lost.
Zecharoo
November 16, 2009 at 10:06pm
Though I would be more pleased if he specifically called for a revolution. Democracy isn't pretty, but communism is downright ugly. Funny how the US is drifting towards it more everyday.
jimbobjoe
November 16, 2009 at 2:27pm
It's amazing obama can say these things in china but neglects the voters here in America. Free flowing information? Obama wouldn't know what it was if it slapped him in the face.
nekollx
November 16, 2009 at 2:43pm
and yet he and his Technology coucil and the FCC under his reign are pushing for net nutarality despote Tel Coms objections.
don't be so quick to judge without all the facts, i don't seem to recall Bush doing ANYTHNG about net anywhatis
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Erenox
November 16, 2009 at 2:51pm
Lets not derail to typical American political bickering. Every political figure has the best interests of the country in mind with all of their decisions -- don't use bashing Bush as the backing for political arguments, believe me when I say it has been done before. He wasn't the best president in the world, but I sure am sick of people being so rude about it. Have respect for the former leader of your nation.
nekollx
November 16, 2009 at 3:03pm
a man more interested in reading a book to kinds then dealing with 9/11? A man who sent us to war on false pretenses. A man who bought his second term?
Um sorry, no. I'll never respect that man.
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Erenox
November 16, 2009 at 2:17pm
I'm not usually one to support Obama, but I like what he is trying to do here. Ultimately it will not really accomplish anything, but I respect the man for championing this cause in unpopular territory.
John McCain was always my pick back in the day (Not my first choice mind you), but he really lost points with me for the "Internet Freedom Act". Something as important as the internet must have some sort of government regulation, just like electricity and water. I am quite the supporter of capitalism, but when there is an oligopoly in business, greed starts to play a bigger role.
PCIV
November 16, 2009 at 1:37pm
Sorry, but you're an idiot if you think the chinese government would let people have uncensored access to the internet. Knowledge always lead to revolution. Do you think that China wants to go into democracy? Let's see what democracy has brought people: Freddie/Fannie, Bush, Harper (Canada's not going to have a recession), and a slow reaction to the economic crisis.
nekollx
November 16, 2009 at 1:15pm
pure ones are always so cute...come onOboma...twitter won't bite..
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Erenox
November 16, 2009 at 2:43pm
Twitter is a fine service and a useful tool, but politicians are starting to use it to show how "Hip" they are for the younger voters. Businesses are starting to use it the same way. Welcome to Example Corp, check out our website and twitter page!
And if you think any politician actually uses Twitter personally you are sadly mistaken.
I Jedi
November 16, 2009 at 1:15pm
Wow, I am actually amazed that the Chinese government would allow Obama to go in, say that what China was doing was wrong with its "Great Firewall", and encourage the students to think more openly and democratically.
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
We introduce Intel's latest class of tablet killers and review 4 of the first Ultra...
Where have all the memorable videogame enemies gone?
This month's issue
Feature
11 Hardware Hacks
Feature
Overclock Your CPU
How-To
Supercharge Your Smartphone
Build It
A Powerful $830 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Analysts: 9-Inch Kindle Fire This Summer http://t.co/QDYApwCZ1 day 2 hours ago
- maximumpc: Micron: DRAM Prices Likely as Low as They're Going to Get http://t.co/fFUWuFOm1 day 5 hours ago
- maximumpc: Yar, Mateys! All Of Pirate Bay Made Available As A Single 90MB Zip File http://t.co/j5LHlXEZ1 day 6 hours ago
