Top Chinese websites back self-censorship

BEIJING, China (UPI) -- Eleven of China`s major news Web sites endorsed a self-censorship proposal Wednesday to block pornographic and violent Internet content.

Such sites as Xinhuanet.com, People.com.cn, China.com.cn, Chinadaily.com.cn, and Chinanews.com issued a joint statement saying they would participate in compliance with the 'Eight Honors and Disgraces,' a new concept of socialist morality issued by Hu Jintao, president of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

'We will make the Internet a vital publisher of scientific theories, spread the advanced cultures and promote decency, so as to boost economic growth, maintain social stability, and promote the building of a socialist harmonious society,' the statement said.

China has approximately 700,000 portals and more than 111 million Internet users, the state Xinhua news agency said.

 
 
Date Posted: 12 April 2006 Last Modified: 12 April 2006