China has unblocked the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s websites, a week after the broadcaster’s president formally complained to Chinese officials. “We have today heard that access to CBC/Radio-Canada’s English and French websites in China is no longer blocked,” said Hubert T Lacroix in a letter to China’s ambassador to Canada, Lu Shumin. “I am writing to thank you personally for what I assume was your expeditious assistance in this matter.”
French-language website Radio-Canada.ca had been blocked for six months while English site CBC.ca had been cut off since January. Lacroix had formally complained about the blockage last week, writing the ambassador to ask why the websites were blocked and to “take steps to ensure that this policy is reversed.”
He wrote that Chinese government officials in 2006 promised to “provide services of an Olympic standard to athletes, officials, spectators and the media in order to facilitate their participation and enjoyment of the Games.” Beijing will host the Olympic Games starting in August. CBC is the official Canadian broadcaster of the Games.
(Source: CBC News/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)