LinkedIn Service Disrupted in China

User access to LinkedIn (News - Alert) was disrupted in China on Thursday, following calls on other websites for demonstrations to take place similar to those against ruling governments in the Middle East, Reuters reported.

The disruption of service on LinkedIn occurs as a Chinese-language website, Boxun, called for a "Jasmine Revolution (News - Alert)" to take place in China as a way to encourage greater democracy in the Communist-ruled country, according to Reuters.

Reuters adds that anti-government demonstrations in Beijing and elsewhere in China on Sunday involved a very small number of participants and were broken up speedily by police officers.

LinkedIn is one of a handful foreign-based networking sites not regularly blocked by the Chinese government. The detentions and censorship show how the Chinese government wants to prevent criticism of its one-party rule, according to Reuters (News - Alert).

Chinese officials also reject predictions that revolts across the Middle East could be duplicated in China.

"The idea that a Jasmine Revolution could happen in China is extremely preposterous and unrealistic,” Zhao Qizheng, former head of the government's information office, said, according to a report in the Wen Wei Po, a Hong Kong-based newspaper under Chinese government control.

"In a city of 15 million people, to have a few people standing around has no practical significance," Zhao was quoted.

However, an advocacy group called Human Rights in China, reports that on Feb. 20, anonymous Internet users in China called for a "Jasmine Revolution" in 13 cities. The group said they were inspired by “flower revolutions” in Tunisia and Egypt.

On Feb. 19, at the Central Party School in Beijing, Chinese President Hu Jintao asked government officials to reduce “unharmonious” elements, increase the supervision of the Internet, and ensure the military strictly follows the Communist Party, according to Human Rights in China.

In recent days the government has interrogated human rights activists, and placed them under house arrest and detention, according to Human Rights in China. The group listed 29 lawyers and activists who have been targeted by the government.

Meanwhile, LinkedIn no doubt would like no disruption to its service in China. China is the largest Internet market by the number of users. There are 450 million Internet users in China and that number is increasing.

LinkedIn would also like to avoid controversy as it prepares for a planned IPO in the United States. LinkedIn has already filed the paperwork to pave the way for an initial public offering, the company announced last month, according to TMCnet.

LinkedIn has more than 90 million members in over 200 countries, according to the company website.