China blocks access to YouTube after videos posted of protests in Tibet

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BEIJING - China blocked access to YouTube.com Sunday after dozens of videos of recent protests in Tibet appeared on the popular U.S. video website.

The blocking added to the Communist government's efforts to control what the public sees and hears about protests that erupted Friday in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, against Chinese rule.

Access to YouTube.com, usually readily available in China, was blocked after videos appeared on the site Saturday showing foreign news reports about the Lhasa demonstrations, montages of photos, and scenes from Tibet-related protests abroad.

There were no protest scenes posted on China-based video websites such as 56.com, youku.com and tudou.com.

The Chinese government has not commented on its move to prevent access to YouTube.

Chinese leaders encourage Internet use for education and business but use online filters to block access to material considered subversive or pornographic.

© The Canadian Press, 2008