Information Blackout

I spent National Day vacation with two classmates in Xinjiang, China's largest territorial subdivision. More than twice the size of Texas, Xinjiang encompasses ancient oasis towns, barren desert, and stunningly beautiful mountains. It is home to many ethnic minorities, including Mongols, Kazakhs, Tajiks, and Kyrgyz.

Brutal riots between Uyghurs and the dominant Han Chinese erupted in the regional capital in July, leaving at least 197 people dead. As part of its effort to restore order, the Chinese government has blocked the Internet in Xinjiang. Completely. About 21 million people have no way to view websites or use e-mail.

This is far worse than the typical controls in China, which merely make it hard to access Facebook, blogs, and accounts of the 1989 protests.

Also cut off in Xinjiang: all mobile texting, international phone calls, and calls to any part of China except Beijing.