A Chinese youth works at his computer station in an Internet ...
16th Feb 2006, 17:44 GMT
(AP) - A Chinese youth works at his computer station in an Internet cafe in Beijing, China, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006. Four U.S. technology giants are defending themselves against charges they collaborated with China to crush dissents in return for access to a booming Internet market. Representatives from Microsoft Corp., Yahoo Inc., Cisco Systems Inc. and Google Inc. faced harsh questioning from lawmakers from both parties at a hearing of a House of Representatives International Relations subcommittee. China says its aims are benign - to protect its citizens, and especially children, from 'the immoral and harmful content' of the Internet. Critics say the limits China imposes go further and are aided by U.S. companies. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)