60th National Day: China Blocks Twitter, Facebook

863 days ago by Willis Wee, in Asia

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This coming October 1st is China’s 60th National day. If the nation’s age happens to be a multiple of 5, celebration tends to be of a larger scale, which includes a military inspection at Tiananmen square.

Security in the capital has been unusually tight with submachine gun-toting SWAT units patrolling through the crowds.

To protect sensitive content, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have also been blocked.

Other interesting restrictions from AP:

“Residents have been barred from flying kites as a precaution against aerial hazards, and those who live in the diplomatic apartments that line the parade route have been told not open their windows or go out on their balconies to watch. Knife sales have been restricted, and notices in apartment lobbies urge residents to report anything suspicious.”

Tags: China, Facebook, Twitter

About Willis Wee

Co-founder of Penn Olson who is also an entrepreneur since 2005. He has had experience in crafting social media strategies for organizations such as Marriott Vacation Club, James Cook University, Reach Singapore and Unilever. Contact him at willis[at]penn-olson[dot]com

View all posts by Willis Wee →

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In my own point of view, China has a right to prepare for such a glorious event. It isn't everyday when your country celebrates its National Day, right? However, I find blocking social media sites, particularly Twitter and Facebook, as too much. Apart from a nasty case of sore fingers from typing too much and a pair of computer monitor-scorched eyes, what makes Twitter and Facebook so dangerous?
http://twitter.com/williswee Willis Wee

They block them because it is easy to share info via twitter and facebook. But what sort of info is something that i'm interested to find out.
http://www.myairapplications.com/ gojeg

Hoho.. An extreme decision.. In my country, some people claim that FB is Haram, but it still growing fast until now. All social network have been blocked in my campus.
http://twitter.com/williswee Willis Wee

oh ic. I'm interested in learning more about social media in china. anyway that i can connect with you on twitter or fb?
Me

Facebook and Twitter are always blocked in China alogn with YouTube as well. It is not just on National Day. This has nothing to do with sensitive data or anything like that. It is a matter of economics. China realizes that these sites are either making money or have the potential to make money so they block them and allow the private Chinese market to come up with alternative sites. They have not come up with an alternative to Twitter yet.
http://www.socialblogr.com/ SocialBlogr

Oh, sorry for long reply. Follow my twitter http://twitter.com/socialblogr and will follow you back.
http://twitter.com/Sarah_Chong Sarah Chong

I agree! Thanks for pointing that out.