US pushes China to explain commercial Internet curbs

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WASHINGTON: The United States is pressing China to explain why its “national firewall” blocks so many US companies from providing their services, according to a letter obtained on Wednesday that is another sign of growing trade tension between the world’s two largest economies, the Sun Daily quoted a Reuters report.

“Having a presence on the Internet that is visible in China is increasingly a critical element for service suppliers aiming to reach Chinese consumers and business,” US Ambassador to
the World Trade Organisation Michael Punke said in a letter on Monday to his Chinese counterpart.

“Some companies based outside of China have faced challenges offering their services to Chinese customers when their websites are blocked by China’s national firewall,” Punke said, adding the US government has heard concerns from “a number of service suppliers” about the problem.