Scaling the Great Firewall of China

The Chinese government remains one of the few institutions that believes itself capable of withstanding consumer empowerment, but even in China, things are beginning to change.  The case of pedicurist, Deng Yujiao, accused of stabbing to death a party official, has led to a public outcry.  According to The Times, “Such is the indignation over Ms Deng’s fate that usually docile newspapers and websites have largely ignored a government directive ordering all reports to toe the official line.” 

Twenty years after the pro-democracy demonstrations in Tianenmen Square, the Chinese government can still keep a lid on most forms of public protest,  but as we saw late last year – with the case of a senior party official brought to justice (after attacking a young girl)  following a web-based protest - things are changing.  It will be interesting to observe whether the Chinese web community – emboldened by its recent successes in defending the rights of individuals against the state – takes on even greater political challenges. 

The state’s ability to control access to the internet or filter what they consider to be undesirable content is also being compromised by the widespread availability of anti-censorship software.  Supporters of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, suppressed by the Chinese government, have proven themselves to be particularly skilled at developing software to counter the online censors.  It may not have to photogenic appeal of standing in front of a tank in Tiananmen Square, but these software activists may ultimately prove to be far more effective in the fight for democracy.