The New York Times said Friday that China blocked access to its websites in English and Chinese after it reported huge riches amassed by the family of China's reformist premier, Wen Jiabao. The US media group said access to both the English- and Chinese-language websites of The Times was blocked from each of 31 cities in mainland China tested, shortly after the publication of the article in both languages.
"We hope that full access is restored shortly, and we will ask the Chinese authorities to ensure that our readers in China can continue to enjoy New York Times journalism," Times spokeswoman Eileen Murphy said in a statement to the daily.
"We will continue to report and translate stories applying the same journalistic standards that are upheld across The New York Times." The Times reported that authorities were also using their sophisticated filtering system in an effort to block any mention of The Times or the prime minister in postings on Sina Weibo, a popular service in China that resembles Twitter. The report about the family of Wen - who will be replaced in a once a decade leadership transition next month - coincided with an announcement clearing the way to prosecute disgraced leader Bo Xilai. State media announced last month that Bo would "face justice" for alleged abuse of power, taking bribes and improper sexual relations.
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