China is known for its aggressive online stances.  It maintains a national firewall to block pages it deems offensive.  It removes any information that calls the state into question -- say evidence that it forged its young gymnasts passports.  Those found violating its internet restrictions are often jailed. 

It has recently spied on its guests' internet connections at the Beijing Olympics according to reports.  And if U.S. military officials are to be believed, it has been committing hacking assaults against the U.S. government online.

Now China has yet again demonstrated it will not tolerate dissent on its internet networks.  On Monday China's many internet users began to notice that they were unable to download songs from the popular Apple service iTunes. 

Then someone noticed that was the day after Art of Peace Foundation announced the release of "Songs for Tibet," with music by Sting, Alanis Morissette, Garbage and others along with a 15-minute talk by the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan leader.  Now Michael Wohl, executive director of the New York City-based group, claims he has inside information on why iTunes has mysteriously malfunctioned on Chinese networks.

Mr. Wohl states in a phone interview, "We issued a release saying that over 40 (Olympic) athletes downloaded the album in an act of solidarity, and that's what triggered it. Then everything got blocked."

While Beijing supports internet use and contact with the outside world for business and educational purposes, it has not tolerated online material concerning Tibet.  China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology refused to comment on the iTunes prohibition.  An unnamed spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Security said she has no information on the topic.

Apple, based in Cupertino, California, has confirmed reports that something is afoot.  Huang Yuna, an Apple spokeswoman in Beijing states, "We are aware of the logon problems but we have no comment at the moment."

She would not comment on how many of Apple's Chinese customers were affected.  The problem is widespread according to online postings.  On macfans.com.cn, a Chinese site for Apple fans, one user writes, "It seems like suspending iTunes is punishment for iTunes, but really it doesn't hurt iTunes, it hurts us."

Mr. Wohl has stated that his 20-song album was offered free-of-charge to Olympians.  He says that athletes from the United States, Canada, Britain, Spain, France and Australia all made a statement by participating in the download.  He acknowledges, "Some in Beijing did download, and I think that's what spooked the Chinese government."

He would not disclose the athletes participating, for fear of retribution by the International Olympic Committee or the Chinese government.  He says he does not believe Apple gave consent for the denial of service.  He said Apple offered no complaints about his group’s album.  He states, "They're incredibly supportive people. They wouldn't do anything like that.  They support freedom of speech and freedom of expression."

China has the world's most internet users with 253 million people online.  The U.S. is a close second with 223.1 million as of June.  The iPod is wildly popular in China, despite users having to log onto U.S. sites in order to U.S. iTunes.  There is no China-specific version of iTunes.