The U.S. Embassy in Beijing contacted China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Ministry of Commerce on June 19, according to the embassy's deputy spokesperson.
He said the U.S. has concerns about any effort to restrict the free circulation of information. The effort does not conform to China's desire to modernize its society and improve its economy. The U.S. often tells Chinese officials that they hope China will allow more freedom of speech, including Internet freedom, according to the spokesperson.
Chinese officials claim the installation of Green Dam is for the purpose of blocking pornography. But the software will also give authorities more power in blocking any sites they deem sensitive.
The deputy spokesperson said, if the purpose is to filter pornography and other malicious web sites, the commercial software already available in the international community can easily be adopted.
Many Chinese have expressed concern and outrage that the regime will block content and increase repression of the already-suppressed Internet in China.
Some Chinese have called for a boycott of the internet on July 1, the day that Green Dam will be enforced.
Ai Weiwei, a Beijing artist who has criticized the regime's move, is supporting web surfers to sign off. He hopes this low-key way will get more support from Chinese people, without endangering people from repercussions of officials.
Internet surveys showed that most people think the software violates privacy, and said they would not purchase it after the one-year free time is passed.
Analysts held that the Chinese Communist Party has tightened control this year as they face many sensitive anniversaries.
