BEIJING, Jan. 24 -- There is no such thing as absolute Internet freedom, just as there is always a limit to whatever one does in any society. Any call for Internet freedom must be made with the knowledge that an orderly and safe flow of information on the Internet is the very guarantee for that freedom.

We know too well that there would be no freedom at all on the Internet if all information was allowed to indiscriminately flow online and Internet users did not have any sense of safety for online activities.

That also explains why we have established laws and regulations on the management of the Internet. Anyone has the right and freedom to surf and do whatever he or she wants on the Internet, as long as that person abides by relevant legal codes.

The Chinese government spares no efforts in cracking down on pornographic content on the Internet to protect children because they are not mature enough to fully understand and resist the temptation of the information. Chinese law also does not allow anyone to infringe on intellectual property rights on the Internet.

This is true in almost all countries, so there is no reason to accuse a country of restricting access to information simply because it manages the Internet strictly in line with its laws and regulations.

Look at the development of the Internet in China and the role it has played in the promotion of social democracy and pluralism. The Internet has become one of the major channels for people to offer tips on abuse of power by officials and lodge complaints about wrongdoings by governments at all levels.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Internet has contributed tremendously to China. It is Internet technology that has expedited economic and political reform in this country. And it is the Internet that has broadened tremendously the channels for Chinese people's freedom of speech.

So it sounds ridiculous to accuse China of restricting the free flow of information on the Internet.

China welcomes foreign companies, including those in the Internet business, to operate in China provided that they do it in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. The smooth development of most transnational companies here in China testifies to its attitude on this matter. And it is also an international practice to regulate cyberspace according to law.

As far as the Google case is concerned, this Internet company has violated Chinese law by allowing free access to pornographic content and infringing on the intellectual property rights of Chinese writers. It is quite natural for the Chinese government to handle such violations in line with Chinese laws and regulations. There is no reason for Google to get away with its violations simply because it is a large, foreign venture.

The United States government is obviously displaying double standards by pointing its finger at China regarding this case.