China suspected of providing missile technology to N. Korea

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don't fell into the self righteous trap just because you have choice

There is a choice though. Aside from Reuters there are other news agencies available (for example) in English such as Associated Press or AFP (see www.news.yahoo.com). Aljazeera is another one (http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage), or all the other coutless sources (including non-English) available. If you wanted to you could get a decent picture of what was going on.

Now in regard to the original Reuters article, it states that "because of unavoidable reasons known to all, this blog is now temporarily closed". You can therefore arguably understand why Reuters concluded that the blog had been forcibly shut down, especially in light of other documented cases of government censure in the PRC. Moreover, the blog writer, when questioned by Reuters, gave strange and inconsistent answers such as:

1. "I really don't want to talk about it. How do I explain this? After Western media report what I say, it will not be the same as what I actually said",

2. "When I feel the time is suitable, I will speak up"

3. "We tried the prank to test how foreign media would react"

4. "I like telling jokes, but this really wasn't a joke and it wasn't meant to deceive everyone"

So on the surface it would seem like there are two plausible scenarios. One is that the PRC did indeed shut down the blog but then allowed it to open the next day following international attention and criticism. This might explain some of Mr. Wang's statements such as nm. 2 (above) or perhaps even nm. 1.

Alternatively, Mr. Wang did indeed shut his own blog down as a hoax. In this case, I think you should be criticising him for introducing uncertainty and confusion into the West's perception of the PRC, rather than Reuters who reacted and investigated what was seemingly a case of State internet censure.

[mingo]

There is a choice though. Aside from Reuters there are other news agencies available (for example) in English such as Associated Press or AFP (see www.news.yahoo.com). Aljazeera is another one (http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage), or all the other coutless sources (including non-English) available. If you wanted to you could get a decent picture of what was going on.
Now in regard to the original Reuters article, it states that "because of unavoidable reasons known to all, this blog is now temporarily closed". You can therefore arguably understand why Reuters concluded that the blog had been forcibly shut down, especially in light of other documented cases of government censure in the PRC. Moreover, the blog writer, when questioned by Reuters, gave strange and inconsistent answers such as:
1. "I really don't want to talk about it. How do I explain this? After Western media report what I say, it will not be the same as what I actually said",
2. "When I feel the time is suitable, I will speak up"
3. "We tried the prank to test how foreign media would react"
4. "I like telling jokes, but this really wasn't a joke and it wasn't meant to deceive everyone"
So on the surface it would seem like there are two plausible scenarios. One is that the PRC did indeed shut down the blog but then allowed it to open the next day following international attention and criticism. This might explain some of Mr. Wang's statements such as nm. 2 (above) or perhaps even nm. 1.
Alternatively, Mr. Wang did indeed shut his own blog down as a hoax. In this case, I think you should be criticising him for introducing uncertainty and confusion into the West's perception of the PRC, rather than Reuters who reacted and investigated what was seemingly a case of State internet censure.

there are many alternative choice in china too, u don't need to listen (and you won't) to what the state media said, there are news website all over the net, even if it's blocked, then you will learn how to use a proxy server.. it's also considered as "choice", only available the the one who really want it..hehe
and about the blog, it will make so much sense if u can read chinese, western media just can't take a joke, and still wondering after it was explained. just like ur response, what other bases do u have other than the links I gave u... what is really need in order for u to believe the explanation of the blogger, if u can even trust what he said, what make reuters or others more trustworthy while they are not even involved. An investigation may help, but do they investigate?
as I said, "innocent till proven guilty", and don't blame others.. spread disbelief between people will only cause conflicts and eventual building the tension neccessary for war and death.
if u kept think "I don't believe in this guy, there must be something going on." then you will never make friend with him, and will never know what exactly happened.

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what is really need in order for u to believe the explanation of the blogger, if u can even trust what he said, what make reuters or others more trustworthy while they are not even involved [...] if u kept think "I don't believe in this guy, there must be something going on." then you will never make friend with him, and will never know what exactly happened.

I already mentioned this in my earlier post:

Alternatively, Mr. Wang did indeed shut his own blog down as a hoax. In this case, I think you should be criticising him for introducing uncertainty and confusion into the West's perception of the PRC, rather than Reuters who reacted and investigated what was seemingly a case of State internet censure.