I very much enjoy reading some of the weekly columns in the WSJ. One writer, L. Gordon Crovitz writes an especially interesting column called "Information Age."
This is the most recent (a very interesting read):
Crovitz, L. Gordon, 2011. Dictators and internet double standards. The Wall Street Journal, Mar. 7.
In the article, Mr. Crovitz describes the efficiency that the Chinese authorities restrict information flow via the Internet. No one knows for sure, however, there might be as much as $77 billion spent on the practice. I have heard that there are 40,000 "analysts" who monitor the Internet full time for information the Central Government desires to control. The above article mentions that perhaps 300,000 government employees monitor the Internet as well at some level.
Evidently, among other things, there are responses (public protests) and communication to local government corruption that are systematically snuffed out through active censoring of the Internet. The restriction of personal expression seems to be at an all-time high. The following statement makes very clear the ramifications:
"Reformers within the government know they sit on a tinderbox, but Beijing opts to clamp down instead of letting people vent frustrations. Strong-armed control over the Web may be the clearest sign of political weakness."
I completely agree with the above statement. It is perceptive in many regards.
Finally, something to ponder:
"'The Chinese authorities instinctively choose repression when confronted with any problem: lock up people, censor their writings, block the Internet,' wrote veteran China watcher Frank Ching in the China Post last week. If this is really necessary, 'maybe China is much more vulnerable that it would appear on the surface.'"
China is not as strong as many believe.
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