The introduction of the Internet to China in the late 1990s was hailed as a harbinger of democracy and brought hope of greater freedom of information within the country. Today, however, the Chinese government continues to restrict access to the World Wide Web. Censors still monitor and silence “subversive” thought.

At this panel discussion, experts will discuss whether the American government, nonprofit groups, and the private sector can actually “free” the Chinese Internet. Topics will include the U.S. government’s current efforts to accelerate the free flow of information into China, the possible private technologies that can aid this effort, and the role of Western multinational companies.