China's Internet is open

Q: The U.S. Secretary of State Bill Clinton on the 21st on the "Internet freedom" made a speech, which talked about China's Internet management policies that the Chinese restrictions on Internet freedom, Does China have any comment on that?

A: The U.S. accused China's Internet management policies, insinuate Chinese restrictions on Internet freedom. For this contrary to the fact that damage Sino-US relations, words and deeds, we are firmly opposed.

China's Internet is open, China is also the most active state development of the Internet, to the end of last year, China's netizens reached 384 million, the website reached 3.68 million, 180 million blog. Chinese citizens freedom of speech protected by the Constitution to promote the development of the Internet is our consistent policy. China has its own national conditions and cultural tradition, China's management of the Internet adhere to the law in line with common practice in the world.

Chinese law prohibits any form of network hacking and infringement of citizens privacy act. China is the world's leading victim of hacker attacks. China stands for closer international cooperation to crack down on hackers, and maintain network security and legal protection of citizens privacy.

We urge the U.S. side to respect facts and stop using the so-called freedom of the Internet makes unjustified accusations against China. We hope the U.S. with the Chinese side to earnestly implement the two leaders on the development of the consensus reached by the new era of Sino-US relations, strengthen dialogue, exchanges and cooperation, respect each other's core interests and major concerns and properly handle differences and sensitive issues in order to safeguard Sino-US relations in a healthy and stable development.