Internet Use in China (US Embassy Report)

Kids, Cadres And "Cultists" All Love It: Growing Influence Of The
Internet In China

A March 2001 report from U.S. Embassy Beijing

The Internet is revolutionizing the way Chinese communicate and
interact.  Government and business leaders recognize the medium as a
key
tool for economic reform, and encourage e-commerce and information
technology investment.  Intellectuals, dissidents, non-governmental
groups -- and the Chinese government itself -- have all embraced the
Internet to spread information, ideas and opinions.  Authorities
have
reacted to limit "dangerous" content, and many are deterred from
writing
or seeking out sensitive material.  Many others, however, see
Beijing's
efforts as speed bumps, not insurmountable  barriers.  Even the
Chinese
press is finding the Internet an  important tool for circumventing
otherwise tight controls.  As China's market economy develops, the
Internet will almost certainly become a more important, positive
force
in facilitating rights of Chinese users to be informed, and to be
heard.

The full text is available at the URL below:

http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/english/sandt/netoverview.html