Online Information Sharing Has More Than Virtual Dangers In China

Oct 032012
 

The focus on censorship, monitoring and other invasive, anti-free speech, state sponsored activities in China tends to be on the virtual domain.

But there is very real danger to speaking out in any forum. The recent case of Wang Zhongping  clearly demonstrates the dangers of uncovering the dirty secrets of those in power.

Wang was found dead in prison apparently having committed  suicide, but given the  condition of his body which indicated recent beatings and other abuse his friends and family say he was murdered. Netizens have now taken up the cause and there is considerable online debate.

And what did Wang do to end up in jail? He blew the whistle on embezzlement and corruption by high ranking party officials.

It is a timely reminder that while we may feel safe sitting behind a computer in the virtual world it is as well to remember that saying the wrong thing can lead to horrific consequences in the real one.

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China Cuts Phone Lines And Internet Links Following Tibetan Monks Suicide Protest

Aug 152011
 

China has cut phone lines and closed internet cafes in Tawau in Sichuan province in an apparent attempt to stiffle information about a monk committed suicide by self-imolation as a protest at the Chinese regime’s suppression of political freedom in Tibet and their treatment of the Dalai Lama.

Advocacy group Free Tibet said there are reports the monk’s monestry had been surrounded by troops. 

It is the second such suicide by a monk in the region in the past six months. In that case the authorities responded with force - deploying troops on the streets.

Free Tibet reported that 29-year-old monk, Tsewang Norbu, also known as Norko, set himself on fire on the Chume Bridge (Ch. Street name Bing He Lu) in the centre of Tawu (Ch. Daofu), Kandze (Ch. Gandze) Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province at 12:30 pm (Tibet local time) today. He  died as a result of his injuries.

 Tsewang Norbu drank petrol, sprayed himself with petrol and then set himself on fire. He was heard calling out: “We Tibetan people want freedom”, “Long live the Dalai Lama” and “Let the Dalai Lama Return to Tibet”. He is believed to have died at the scene.

Tsewang Norbu is from Nyitso Monastery in Tawu. The local community celebrated the Dalai Lama’s birthday in their thousands this year and last, despite China’s strict ban on doing so.

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