To my respectecd classmates

Dear fellow classmates:

In the International Law class this afternoon, I rejected the notion to discuss Chinese government's restriction on Yahoo and Google. For the behavior itself, I would like to present my sincere regret. But for the case, I would like to make some brief explanation.

1. The case is not indiscussible, but the discussion might lead to a result that will be misleading, although it is not intended. I admit that Nikolas was to confine it with the pure legal sphere, however, the discussion would eventually lead to a result that might induce people to imagine China in a unpleasant way, although I have to also admit that the image of China has not been so good to those who are not familiar with China, which partly results from the problems that do exist, and partly from the malicious attack.

I do not want to say too much about this, but only want to sincerely tell you that China is improving herself and is becoming better and better. Though she is still far from being perfect, at least she has always been making progress. I would like to invite you all to pay a visit to China and see how she is today and I would also be very happy to listen to your comments and suggestions for China, because I know it pretty well that the development of China needs to take into considerations of opinions from every aspects, even there might be severe criticism. I myself am open to any criticism, since I believe in the old Chinese saying that “A good medicine, though tastes bitter，is beneficial for one's health; while the sincere advice, though sounds unpleasant, is helpful for one's behavior”. The Chinese people have always been welcoming all sorts of opinions, we will adopted any suggestions that are good to our development, no matter where they are from.

2. As for the restriction, frankly speaking, I do not know much about its background. But I think I can understand why the government does so from the view of an ordinary Chinese citizen, which will also be easily understood by most Chinese people. However, if you are not born in China and not grow up there, it may be difficult for you to imagine. I guess the reason behind it is mainly political rather than commercial, and National Security might be the most possible one.

Restrictions are generally unwelcomed. Most people, including me, hate the situation of being restricted. But sometimes, restrictions are necessary, especially when these measures are taken to safeguard National Security. And it is also the common practice of most governments. As for the restriction in this case, I don't know how much reasonableness is behind it, since it is very likely to be confidential. Anyone may express their view that whether such restriction is right or not, which I can't and am not to refute at present, since none of us know much about it right now, and any such debate will be meaningless. But one thins is for certain, that is, the Chinese government will not impose such restrictions groundlessly. Maybe I can explain to you someday, but at present, I have nothing to explain to you. I am sorry for that.

3. Having said that, I thought and still think that discussion around this particular topic would not be very helpful, although if it were confined to merely legal sphere, it might be helpful for us to understand the principles regarding jurisdiction in International Law. But still I believe that there might be better cases for us to study, even if it is only fictional.

Finally, I would like to say sorry to you once again, for my behavior in the class, which might seem to be emotional, if that was the case. And I would also like to offer that I will try my best to present a real China to you, telling you whatever you want to know about, since it is my belief that China needs to be known and understood by the outside world.

China is open to you and welcomes you, and I would like to make friends with you and be your guide to China, my beloved motherland.

Ps. I would like to present my thanks especially to David and Natasha for their understanding and sincere advice.