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Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (37814)	10/4/2000 11:52:33 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 70976

Why do we do business with China yet Cuba is viewed as an Evil Empire? China is one of the most repressive countries in history, yet business continues unabated because we don't want to lose any of their business. There must be a time when we demand that China accept basic human rights as law before we grant them MFN status or entry into the WTO. This is not directly related to AMAT but is directly related to anyone interested in human rights. BTW, this message could get me arrested in China. China just does not get it. No successful country in history has achieved and then maintained their power by force. Brian *************************************** China issues restrictive Internet edict SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- China has issued a new list of rules for Internet use, ordering access providers to guard against online political activity and reinforcing limits on foreign investment. The rules, part of broad regulations on the telecommunications industry, add little to how China already regulates the Web. But the announcement could cause a chill in a field dependent on foreign financing. Companies had hoped for a more liberal climate after China's planned entry into the World Trade Organization. The announcement Sunday by state media also affirms Beijing's resolve to keep the Web from being used to spread opposition to communist rule. ``This is a reality check that China is a heavily regulated market and will remain that way for some time,'' said Nicholas Spratt, who follows the industry for Lehman Brothers Asia in Hong Kong. In one of the few explicit new requirements, Internet Service Providers are required to keep records on users and the material they post online. If they discover prohibited content -- ranging from pornography or seditious comments to material in favor of independence for Taiwan or Tibet -- providers are required to remove it and turn over their records to the authorities. Those who posted the prohibited material could be prosecuted. The regulations say content providers must have approval from the Ministry of Information Industry to receive investment or collaboration from abroad. Chinese companies already operate under such a requirement. But announcing the prohibition could be a warning of impending enforcement by the ministry against dozens of companies with unauthorized foreign owners, investors or partners. The ministry tried last year to ban all foreign Web investment. China later agreed to let foreigners own 49 percent of Web companies once it joins the World Trade Organization, and 50 percent after two years. But there is no firm date yet on China's WTO entry. Beijing also appears to be trying to jar service providers into helping to police security-related content restrictions. Regulators in August shut down a Web site run by pro-democracy activists on a Beijing service provider. The company said it hadn't looked at the site's content until alerted by police. Spratt, of Lehman Brothers, said he expected the subversion rule to be ``watered down'' but noted that Web companies already are playing an enforcement role. ``Portals are all conscious that if they have anything subversive from users, they immediately have to take it down,'' he said. ``Now, incidents have to be reported.'' mercurycenter.com