China says it can't promise that it won't censor the Internet this summer during the Beijing Olympics.

Wang Wei, executive vice president of the Beijing Olympic organizers, had assured the International Olympic Committee that the 30,000 reporters covering the games would have open access to the Internet.

China is well known to censor an array of online content from what it considers anti-government sites to horror- related content.

"China has always been very cautious when it comes to the Internet," Technology Minister Wan Gang told a news conference. "I've not got any clear information about which sites will be shut or screened. But to protect the youth there are controls on some unhealthy websites."

"We will guarantee as much as possible" that sites will not be blocked over the Olympics, he added. "Every country limits access to some websites. Even in developed countries not every site can be accessed."

China says that broadband wireless Internet services will be widely available, according to a handbook issued at the same news conference, for "convenience for journalists and promptness of news."

Last week, the United States expressed its concern about Internet censorship in China during the games. Senator Sam Brownback, R-Kan, criticized the country for its plan to install Internet filters on all U.S.- owned hotels during the games.

Brownback called the move,"An insult to the spirit of the Games and an affront to American businesses."

Source: www.webpronews.com