tufareast 走遍世界

Having Had it Stuck to Me by the Man 2006 April 3

We've all heard the rumors about the Chinese government blocking websites.  Well, at least some of it is true because my Chinese friends report they cannot view this or any other wordpress-based blog. 

Honestly, I think rumors of the Chinese government spying on foreigners is really overblown.  And I really don't like it when those missionaries get all cryptic in their emails.  I've met people who don't stop when they get face to face–they start freaking me out.  And who wouldn't get freaked out–let alone the Chinese government–when people are coming into your country, starting secretive cell groups and opening business that are only fronts for getting visas.  To be fair, such methods are very necessary in some parts of the world sometimes.  But I also think this kind of activity becomes a fetish for some who relish the sense of heroism.

Anyway, the website blok wasn't personal as it effects all wordpress blogs (and other companies like blogger.com).  To be sure, the Chinese government has very different values than we do.  One of my Chinese professors once confessed to me he believed his government really had a lot of challenges.  But he pointed out how greatly things have changed.  Indeed, I would need to spend several years in China to notice the trend, but it is definitley in the right direction. 

For the meantime, I think I'm going to need another blog.  I'll keep you posted here and on www.xanga.com/tufareast.

If you're interested in Chinese-media issues, check out www.danwei.org for all the latest news.