This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8475965.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Obama keeps up pressure on China Obama keeps up pressure on China
(30 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama continues to be "troubled" by alleged cyber-attacks originating in China on the internet search giant Google, officials say.US President Barack Obama continues to be "troubled" by alleged cyber-attacks originating in China on the internet search giant Google, officials say.
A White House spokesman said Mr Obama wanted "some answers" and agreed those responsible should "face consequences".A White House spokesman said Mr Obama wanted "some answers" and agreed those responsible should "face consequences".
The comments came after China denounced US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's criticism of its internet restrictions, saying it was harming relations.The comments came after China denounced US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's criticism of its internet restrictions, saying it was harming relations.
Google has said it will decide shortly whether to end its China operations.Google has said it will decide shortly whether to end its China operations.
The company currently holds about one-third of the Chinese search market, far behind Chinese rival Baidu, which has more than 60%.The company currently holds about one-third of the Chinese search market, far behind Chinese rival Baidu, which has more than 60%.
'Consequences''Consequences'
Earlier on Friday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said the US should "respect the facts" and stop making "groundless accusations".Earlier on Friday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said the US should "respect the facts" and stop making "groundless accusations".
ANALYSIS By Damian Grammaticas, Beijing For China, the row sparked by Google has put it in an extremely uncomfortable position. It is under the harsh glare of US scrutiny on several sensitive issues: internet censorship, the silencing of dissidents and human rights campaigners, cyber attacks launched from China, and the difficulties big US companies find doing business in China.ANALYSIS By Damian Grammaticas, Beijing For China, the row sparked by Google has put it in an extremely uncomfortable position. It is under the harsh glare of US scrutiny on several sensitive issues: internet censorship, the silencing of dissidents and human rights campaigners, cyber attacks launched from China, and the difficulties big US companies find doing business in China.
Hillary Clinton's criticism of internet controls would have been pretty tough for Beijing to hear. So it is no surprise it has replied robustly. But China is on the back foot in this dispute.Hillary Clinton's criticism of internet controls would have been pretty tough for Beijing to hear. So it is no surprise it has replied robustly. But China is on the back foot in this dispute.
The statement called on the US to "handle sensitive issues in an appropriate way". Decoded, that means China would rather it was all dealt with quietly, something that does not seem likely now the argument has become so public and far-reaching. Tech groups back Clinton stand China's media lashes out The statement called on the US to "handle sensitive issues in an appropriate way". Decoded, that means China would rather it was all dealt with quietly, something that does not seem likely now the argument has become so public and far-reaching. Tech groups back Clinton stand China's media lashes out class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8475519.stm">Chinese debate internet freedom
"The US has criticised China's policies to administer the internet, and insinuated that China restricts internet freedom," Ma Zhaoxu said."The US has criticised China's policies to administer the internet, and insinuated that China restricts internet freedom," Ma Zhaoxu said.
"This runs contrary to the facts and is harmful to China-US relations.""This runs contrary to the facts and is harmful to China-US relations."
The warning from Beijing came after Mrs Clinton said in a speech that the internet had been a "source of tremendous progress" in China, but that any country which restricted free access to information risked "walling themselves off from the progress of the next century".The warning from Beijing came after Mrs Clinton said in a speech that the internet had been a "source of tremendous progress" in China, but that any country which restricted free access to information risked "walling themselves off from the progress of the next century".
The private sector had a shared responsibility to safeguard freedom of expression and should take a "principled stand" against censorship, she said.The private sector had a shared responsibility to safeguard freedom of expression and should take a "principled stand" against censorship, she said.
Mrs Clinton also called on the Chinese authorities to investigate Google's complaint that hackers in China had tried to infiltrate its software coding and the e-mail accounts of human rights activists, in a "highly sophisticated" attack.Mrs Clinton also called on the Chinese authorities to investigate Google's complaint that hackers in China had tried to infiltrate its software coding and the e-mail accounts of human rights activists, in a "highly sophisticated" attack.
Hillary Clinton: "We look to the Chinese authorities to conduct a thorough review"Hillary Clinton: "We look to the Chinese authorities to conduct a thorough review"
"Countries or individuals that engage in cyber-attacks should face consequences and international condemnation," she added."Countries or individuals that engage in cyber-attacks should face consequences and international condemnation," she added.
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One on Friday, White House spokesman Bill Burton made it clear that President Obama agreed with her.Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One on Friday, White House spokesman Bill Burton made it clear that President Obama agreed with her.
"As the president has said, he continues to be troubled by the cyber-security breach that Google attributes to China," he said."As the president has said, he continues to be troubled by the cyber-security breach that Google attributes to China," he said.
INTERNET ROW TIMELINE 12 Jan: Google says it may leave China after cyber attacks and calls for end to censorship of its search results13 Jan: US says cyber attacks on Google "troubling"14 Jan: China gives first reaction to Google statement: foreign firms welcome to work in China "according to law" 16 Jan: US says it will make formal protest over Google cyber attacks21 Jan: China says its dispute with Google should not be linked to US relations21 Jan: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticises China's internet controls and urges Beijing to investigate Google attacks22 Jan: China rejects Mrs Clinton's criticism as "groundless" Timeline: China and net censorshipINTERNET ROW TIMELINE 12 Jan: Google says it may leave China after cyber attacks and calls for end to censorship of its search results13 Jan: US says cyber attacks on Google "troubling"14 Jan: China gives first reaction to Google statement: foreign firms welcome to work in China "according to law" 16 Jan: US says it will make formal protest over Google cyber attacks21 Jan: China says its dispute with Google should not be linked to US relations21 Jan: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticises China's internet controls and urges Beijing to investigate Google attacks22 Jan: China rejects Mrs Clinton's criticism as "groundless" Timeline: China and net censorship
"All we are looking for from China are some answers," he added."All we are looking for from China are some answers," he added.
Chinese officials have repeatedly said that Google and other foreign internet companies are welcome to operate within China as long as they obeyed the country's laws and traditions.Chinese officials have repeatedly said that Google and other foreign internet companies are welcome to operate within China as long as they obeyed the country's laws and traditions.
When the California-based company launched google.cn in 2006, it agreed to censor some search results - such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, Tibetan independence or Falun Gong - as required by the Chinese government.When the California-based company launched google.cn in 2006, it agreed to censor some search results - such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, Tibetan independence or Falun Gong - as required by the Chinese government.
Google now says it is looking at operating an unfiltered search engine within the law in the country, though no changes to filtering have yet been made.Google now says it is looking at operating an unfiltered search engine within the law in the country, though no changes to filtering have yet been made.
China has more internet users - about 350 million - than any other country and provides a lucrative search engine market worth an estimated $1bn (£614m) last year.China has more internet users - about 350 million - than any other country and provides a lucrative search engine market worth an estimated $1bn (£614m) last year.
Are you in China? Do you think the internet should be restricted? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in China? Do you think the internet should be restricted? Send us your comments using the form below.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions