In this Oct. 15, 2012 photo released by China's Xinhua News
Agency, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, left, visits Cambodian Queen Mother
Norodom Monineath Sihanouk , center, and Cambodian King Norodom
Sihamoni, right, to express condolence and sympathy for the death of
Cambodian former King Norodom Sihanouk in Beijing, China. / Xinhua, Ju
Peng | Associated Press file
Written by
Associated Press
The Statesman Journal
26 October 2012
BEIJING — China blocked access to The New York Times website today
after the paper published a lengthy article claiming the family of
Premier Wen Jiabao has amassed assets worth $2.7 billion through a web
of investments.
The report said most of Wen's family's wealth was accumulated after he rose to high office in 2002.
Chinese censors also blocked the Times' Chinese-language site that carried a translated version of the story.
Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters at a press briefing
that the report "blackens China and has ulterior motives." He refused to
elaborate despite several follow-up questions.
Times' spokeswoman Eileen Murphy says the paper hoped access to the sites could be restored shortly.
While
Wen is expected to leave his post in the spring, the report is a blow
to his reputation as a politician concerned with bettering the lives of
ordinary Chinese.
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