Chinese cyber armies crack down on Internet dissent

THE CHINESE government, backed by armies of Cyber cops, is spearheading an increasingly sophisticated movement by repressive regimes to restrict the Internet.

According to Reporters without Borders, China is exporting its technology and policies to other repressive regimes keen to learn from the country's success. These include Vietnam, Syria, Libya and Iran.

China still has the biggest prison for cyber-dissidents with 52 people in jail for online activities that the ruling Communist Party in Beijing deemed inappropriate, Reporters without Borders say.

China's increasingly sophisticated anti-Internet techniques, coupled with its growing global clout, raised concerns its brand of censorship may be exported more. The report says that with China enjoying increasing political influence, people are wondering whether China's Internet model, based on censorship and surveillance, may one day be imposed on the rest of the world.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has already called for the Communist Party to "purify the Internet environment."

China and Iran are keen to filter the videos that appear there too much 'subversive' content for China and too much 'immorality' for Iran.

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