October 29, 2004
Cyber dissidents rattle China's thought police
Mobile phones, text messaging, computers -- these are the new weapons of dissent in modern China. And they're making its rigid Communist rulers extremely nervous, according to the GlobeAndMail.com.
"With 80 million registered on-line users, Chinese authorities are only too aware of the Internet's potent force. They encourage its use but simultaneously are building a new Great Wall of technology to shut out dissident views.
With the help of Western technology firms, China has developed the world's most invasive cyberspace security techniques. Human-rights organizations say as many as 30,000 government employees are dedicated full-time to monitoring the Internet. China leads the world in jailing on-line dissidents. More than 60 are now incarcerated for terms as long as 15 years -- simply for posting "unhealthy things."
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2004/10/005872.htm