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China Blocking Users From US Search Engines

Some speculate it's retaliation for giving Dalai Lama the Congressional Medal

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 19, 2007 4:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – Chinese searchers trying to visit Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Live Search are being redirected to the Chinese search engine Baidu, according to tech news sources. Speculation has it that the Chinese government is blocking the American engines because officials are angry that the US awarded the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal this week.

When a similar hijacking occurred in 2002, Baidu executives denied having anything to do with it. The Chinese government has been increasing media censorship in the run-up to this week's major Communist Party Congress. Chinese officials said they're aware that internet users are being redirected from search sites, but offered no explanation.

Baidu offices
Baidu offices   (KRT Photos)
Chinese people surfing the internet in Beijing.
Chinese people surfing the internet in Beijing.   (Getty Images)
A Chinese man surfs the internet in Beijing.
A Chinese man surfs the internet in Beijing.   (Getty Images)
People use the internet in a business center in Beijing.
People use the internet in a business center in Beijing.   (Getty Images)
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