Dissident Chinese artist says Internet censorship 'doomed to fail'

Beijing, April 17 (ANI): Dissent artist Ai Weiwei has warned Beijing that its efforts to suppress citizens by controlling access to online content is doomed to fail.

Weiwei issued the warning in an article for The Guardian newspaper.

He said, "In the long run, they (the government) must understand it's not possible for them to control the Internet unless they shut it off - and they can't live with the consequences of that".

China recently introduced new web rules that force people to use their real names when they go online, BBC reports.

Weiwei added that the increase in blogs, social media and electronic communication had given rise to a new sense of freedom among Chinese.

'The Internet is uncontrollable. And,s if the Internet is uncontrollable, freedom will win', he said.

He said that people have discussed an issue online even before it was printed or broadcasted, in a way learning to exercise their own judgment and rights.

This freedom to talk would give rise to bigger changes that the government would not be able to curb, Weiwei said. (ANI)