Parliamentary questions
31 October 2011 E-009891/2011
Question for written answer
to the Commission
Rule 117
Marietje Schaake (ALDE)
Subject: China's Internet restriction policy
The United States is reportedly(1) seeking detailed information on China’s Internet restriction policy, as Internet disruptions in China may have a commercial impact on US companies’ websites. Under World Trade Organisation rules, the US has made a request to China for detailed information.
On 14 October 2011, Commissioner De Gucht expressed concern about the difficulties that European companies face when operating in China. Commissioner De Gucht pledged to stand up for EU companies at the EU‑China summit, on 25 October 2011, on a range of issues including China’s closed investment regime, its closed public procurement market and its discriminatory policy on subsidies(2).
1. What, in the Commission’s view, is the impact of Internet censorship on European companies? Can the Commission provide an assessment or, if no such assessment is available, is it willing to undertake one?
2. Will the Commission address the matter of China’s Internet restriction policies and practices at the summit?
3. Does the Commission agree with the US point of view that ‘the best Internet policy is to encourage the free flow of information globally’? If not, why not?
4. Will the Commission discuss the matter of Internet policy at the next Transatlantic Economic Council? Does the Commission agree that the EU and the US should cooperate on matters such as Internet policy and net neutrality, given the cross-border impact of Internet-related policies?
(1) http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2011/october/united-states-seeks-detailed-information-china%E2%80%99s-i
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20111019-711894.html
(2) http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2011/october/tradoc_148272.pdf
Please find the answer here.
