China reopens iTunes access, blocks Tibet album
updated 10:15 am EDT, Tue August 26, 2008
China resumes iTunes
Access to Apple's iTunes Store is once again available in China, although some content is no longer visible, according to SFGate. The service was apparently blocked by the Chinese regime last week; a controversial pro-Tibet album, however, is still unavailable to shoppers in the country. The album is suspected as the main reason for the earlier blockage of iTunes.
Chinese users started having problems logging into iTunes last week, quickly raising suspicion that the Beijing government was attempting to censor Songs for Tibet, released by the Art of Peace Foundation. The organization supports Tibetan independence, and the album features performances from several artists such as Sting and Dave Matthews, as well as a 15-minute speech by the Dalai Lama.
An article on China.org.cn, a website operated by the Chinese government's Internet Information Center, claims the album "has ignited strong indignation" among Chinese users. It also suggests that people now wish to ban the album's singers and producers from entering China, and that they will also begin to boycott all Apple products.
A complete severing of ties is unlikely however, as many Apple products are assembled in China, including Macs, iPods and iPhones. China benefits from local employment and investment, while Apple is able to tap into cheap labor and resources.
What a bunch of BS
08/26, 11:41am reply
"the album "has ignited strong indignation" among Chinese users. It also suggests that people now wish to ban the album's singers and producers from entering China, and that they will also begin to boycott all Apple products. "
Yeah I BET it's the Chinese people, more like Chinese government.
mgpalma
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2000
overthrow
08/26, 12:10pm reply
you know... China is completely repressive and unfair to its people. As American's we should overthrow their government. oh but wait... who would pay for such an effort. Our current imperialism is funded by china ;)
byRyan
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
re: overthrow
08/26, 12:42pm reply
Sorry, but America only decides to overthrow countries who (a) don't appear capable of fighting back, (b) have something we REALLY want, and/or (c) threatened the life of the president's father way back when.
And, besides, China sends us way too many cheap goods and funds way too many campaigns for the US to do anything but shoot a carefully worded letter expressing our regret over some act they performed.
h***, remember how bent out of shape China got, and how the president and all bent over backwards to apologize to our new Chinese overlords, when the president (I think it was Clinton) took a Taiwanese flag from someone in a reception line. Not that he even knew what it was, people throw things at these guys all the time, but h*** if that didn't get sent back quickly and publicly. Otherwise those Chinese goods might stop flowing, and Americans will have to go find some other sweatshop country to make its goods.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
ALL DL's available here..
08/26, 03:15pm reply
... note that these cool dudes have opened up a way to allow Chinese to DL anything from iTunes -- and for free!
www.baneki.com
Rage on, guys!
robm
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2008
Try posting to china.org!
08/27, 01:20pm reply
Try posting something slightly critical to the "Netizens incensed over Tibet album on iTunes" article at
http://www.china.org.cn/china/national/2008-08/08/content_16161481.htm
Bet it does not make it through the censors!
For me, no amount of Olympic glitz can make up for their sordid record on human rights.
fulchiero
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2008
Try posting to china.org!
08/27, 01:23pm reply
Try posting something slightly critical to the "Netizens incensed over Tibet album on iTunes" article from the above "boycott all Apple products link".
Bet it does not make it through the Chinese censors!
For me, no amount of Olympic glitz can make up for their sordid record on human rights.
fulchiero
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2008