With criticism galore from foreign officials, business groups, and its own country’s computer users, the Chinese government has deferred its July 1-scheduled mandate, concerning the requirement of Internet filtering software – Green Dam Youth Escort program – for all new PCs to be sold in China.

In its brief announcement about the government’s decision to delay the enforcement of the Green Dam mandate, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said that the decision has come in the wake of the computer manufacturers’ apparent need for more time to abide by the mandatory condition. 

Though there have been no further details forthcoming from the official sources, some China experts opine that the announced delay of the contentious mandate has resulted from the intensifying pressure on the Chinese government, especially from the US government as well as the global tech industry.

Calling the postponement a “face-saving” measure by the Chinese government, experts say that the bungled diktat will ultimately be scrapped!

John Neuffer - Vice President of the Information Technology Industry Council, which played a significant role in resolving the controversial issue – said: “We welcome China's delay in the implementation of the Green Dam mandate. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the U.S. government on this matter and seek market-based solutions that enable consumer choice that is consistent with global norms and protects children on the Internet.”