Chinese authorities seemingly censored at the last-minute internet and satellite television coverage of the event in Shanghi.
Satellite coverage on Hong Kong's Phoenix TV, which covers southern China and certain affluent areas cut out after several minutes. The Xinhua news agency in it's internet broadcast at first only showed an ''Access Forbidden'' to viewers. Later it came on line after some minutes.
Other broadcasts such as Shanghi's news channel were marked by poor sound quality and missing parts. Even the White House's broadcast suffered from a one minute delay and poor angle qualities with the camera focused away from or on the President's shoes. Problems noted as "unusual."
Obama's speech opened with example of the problems the U.S. faced in the past and exhorted the values of the open market, rule of law, and the people's will reflecting in government.
The audience, consisting mostly of Chinese university students and media, were unmoved not responding even during the President's jokes.
The President did acknowledge the U.S.'s short falls and welcomed China to the stage of world leadership.
The Chinese media's questions during the event did not relate to any of the President's early remarks about how a commitment to principles guided the US through the ''darkest of storms'' including civil war, slavery and discrimination.
In recent years China has been stepping up control of state institutions, which include media outlets and universities. According to The Global Times, a Government-controlled tabloid, ''Analysts have generally noticed that in recent years the influence of American values on China has reached its weakest point, and will continue to weaken."
The White House has noted that the Chinese have been controlling every detail of this visit.
China has hosted similar town hall style meetings with dialogues from former presidents Bill Clinton in 1998 and George Bush in 2002.
Written by Seamus Esparza
Posted November 16th, 2009 by Seamus Esparza
