US urges China 'not to censor Internet, respect press freedom'

Beijing, July 1 (ANI): American officials have reportedly asked China not to censor its Internet after the government blocked access to Bloomberg's website.

China recently denied web access to the financial news agency after it published a report on massive wealth amassed by relatives of Xi Jinping, the man expected to become China's next president.

A State Department official condemned the move and said the U.S. strongly supports respect for freedom of expression and press freedom in China, including over the Internet.

"'We have continually urged China to respect internationally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms on the Internet, including freedom of expression," the Guardian quoted the official, as saying.

Bloomberg reporters and editors have declined to comment on their interactions with the Chinese government on the matter.

A company spokesman, Ty Trippet, however, acknowledged that the blockage of the Bloomberg websites and its magazine Business Week came in response to an article published about the fortunes of Vice President Jinping 's extended family. (ANI)