China Telecom to block all Bitcoin related traffic to China?

[John (John K.)]

I am using China Telecom's network, until now at least network traffic related to Bitcoin is OK.

Keep in mind that law in China works differently from that of West, in two ways:

1.Anything not explicitly permitted by law is technically prohibited;
2.No one will enforce the "not permitted yet not explicitly prohibited" part of the law until someone sees a chance to make money or directives are received from "relevant organs".(so yes we break laws everyday)

In this case, I guess it's China Telecom's management's own idea, not sure at which level the decision is made, but there must be some interest groups related to CT already feeling the threat of Bitcoin.

Well, I agree that this is true. One of the perks of being in a nanny-state I guess. 

[Zaih]

Very interesting indeed, if true!

Something to think about... if China comes out openly opposed to Bitcoin, and blocks it, then Americans will look upon this as an act of censorship by an oppressive regime. This means they would be less likely to accept similar moves from the American government.  On the other hand, if the American govenrment comes down hard (and not China), Americans would be more likely to buy the story and be opposed to Bitcoin.

Thus China blocking it could be good for Bitcoin in America. And America blocking it could be good for Bitcoin in China.

China is STILL the top downloader of Bitcoin client software, a trend which has persisted for the past six weeks (prior to this, the US had always been #1)

Well pointed out. I look forward to seeing how this goes. This will more or less be the first 'proper' ban on Bitcoin? Very interesting. Subbed to this thread

[hl5460]

I don't think CN Govn will block btc officially. This will get more chinese involved and exposed, which is not they want.
Initial market reaction will be a dive in BTC price. But then people realize that supply from CN miners are out and demand is increasing.

Just a thought.

[LiteCoinGuy]

why should they block it officially when they speak about it in the public tv? everything is censored in the press so why did they show this? for me it makes no sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig9RxQn98R4

[syn999]

why should they block it officially when they speak about it in the public tv? everything is censored in the press so why did they show this? for me it makes no sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig9RxQn98R4

thats from weeks ago, world changes everyday

[DanielBTC]

why should they block it officially when they speak about it in the public tv? everything is censored in the press so why did they show this? for me it makes no sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig9RxQn98R4

To reaffirm the control? Show the government power?
"we can block and decide what you will use or not"