China's Web "firewall" should be WTO issue: EU's Kroes

China's Internet "firewall" is a trade barrier and needs to be tackled within the framework of the World Trade Organization, said Neelie Kroes, vice-president of the European Commission.

She said the firewall was a trade barrier as long as it blocked communication for Internet users, preventing the free flow of information. Kroes spoke at the China headquarters of video-sharing company Tudou, a rival of Google's internationally popular video-sharing platform YouTube that is blocked in China. Kroes said it was significant that companies such as Tudou, which uploads user videos, show that the younger generation is taking an active role in tackling censorship. Tudou, which adheres to government censorship regulations, said it deletes 100,000 videos every month for content that involves pornography or politics.