Chinese Wikipedia unblocked by government
According to reports, the government of China has stopped restricting access to the Chinese Wikipedia in some parts of the country starting on July 3.
The report originated on the Wikimedia Foundation's mailing list quoting a website saying "Wikipedia Chinese version unblocked." Wikinews has confirmed that the reports are accurate through discussion with people attempting to access Wikipedia from China.
Despite the report, there are still some issues with accessing the site according to readers of the site. Sources tell Wikinews that although the English version is unblocked, the Chinese version still remains blocked or hard to access in many parts of the country. This comes after the Chinese unblocking of the all other language variations of Wikipedia in April.
Ian A. Holton, who is an administrator on the English Wikipedia, has confirmed that the Chinese Wikipedia is accessible in the Liaoning Province, although users in Shanghai and some in Beijing are still unable to access the site. The restriction in Beijing does not appear to cover the entire area: sources have told Wikinews the site can be accessed in many parts of Beijing.
There has been some doubt on whether Wikipedia will remain accessible after the Olympic games. Christiano Moreschi, another active contributor to the English Wikpedia, said that "I doubt this will last 5 minutes beyond the end of the closing ceremony of the Olympics."
The International Olympic Committee warned China in April that it wanted the internet freely accessible for the entire duration of the Olympic Summer Games. Unrestricted access is guaranteed to the 30,000 reporters and media staff expected for the Olympics under Beijing's 'host city contract'.
Sources
- "Wikipedia Chinese version unblocked". Danwei, July 4, 2008
- Wikimedia Foundation "Chinese Wikipedia unblocked in Mainland China". Nabble, July 4, 2008
- http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Chinese_Wikipedia_unblocked_by_government
Total views: 1139
Related Articles· Chinese astronaut walks in space
· Anti-Scientology protest material removed from YouTube following threats of legal action
· Wikileaks claims news organisations pressured to remove articles on billionaire fraudster
· First Google Android phone unveiled, will be available soon
· Contaminated baby's milk induces wave of child illness in China