TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Cina plans to temporarily allow access to blocked social networking sites, including Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit slated for November 7-11, 2014. The temporarily lifting of the ban is China's first ever decision to ease its censorship of the Internet for an international event.
As quoted by the Economics Times on Thursday, November 6, 2014, the easing of the ban is done for the benefit of journalists, allowing them to rapidly spread news globally through social media.
"International journalists will have complete access to the Internet in APEC's media room, where laptops will be provided through which the Internet cam be accessed full speed, unlike the intermittent connection that some residents in several media still have to make do with," said a source.
Last year, the Chinese government blocked access to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, for 'undermining national security'. In addition to these social media networks, several chatting programs, including LINE, WeChat, and KakaoTalk, were also blocked for allegedly supporting the activities of terrorist networks.
China is cleaning up its act in light of the upcoming APEC Summit—in fact, the government has gone as far as ordering a number of factories to close in a bid to reduce the air pollution in the capital that has worsened since 2012.
Furthermore, the government is also limiting the amount of vehicles allowed on the road, and advises residents to switch to public transportation instead to reduce the congestion that will interfere with the event.
RINDU P. HESTYA | ECONOMIC TIMES
