medium
Is Medium blocked in China?
Yes, Medium is blocked in China. The somewhat new and increasingly popular blogging website has been blocked in China since April 10, 2016.
China has been in the practice of blocking blogging websites for several years now. Other popular blogging websites such as Blogger and Tumblr are also blocked, as well as Google Sites.
China very commonly blocks any Western websites where anti-communist messages may be posted without filtration, or where pro-democracy messages may easily spread without government interference. As the country has no control over the filtering process on those websites, it is more likely to block sites that it cannot actively control.
Medium first started in 2012. Its rise in popularity is likely the reason why it was only recently blocked by Chinese authorities. Medium, like other blogging websites or micro-blogging social networks like Twitter or Facebook, allows users to share ideas and messages that could potentially be harmful to the Communist regime.
China blocks websites like this behind their Great Firewall. This is the name applied to the country’s advanced content filtering methods. China’s Great Firewall is the most advanced content blocking method in the world, and one that is mimicked by other countries such as Iran and North Korea. This is aided by the fact that China only has a small number of ISPs, all of which are fully compliant with government content blocking requests.
How to unblock Medium in China with a VPN
You can still access Medium while in China by using a virtual private network, or VPN. A VPN is a service that fully encrypts the data your device sends through the internet and routes that data through remote servers. While there are VPN servers located in China, a VPN service for accessing blocked content is most effective when connecting to a remote server located outside of China. The server will allow you to connect to an ISP outside of China where the content you’re hoping to access is not blocked.
VPN services vary in what they offer, although more reputable services will provide users with unlimited bandwidth, high-level security features and will not include data caps. These services will also range from free to paid subscription, to the better and more secure services offering monthly or yearly paid subscriptions.
It’s important to note that China is aware of VPN use, and has implemented some steps to stop VPNs from getting past the Great Firewall. This has resulted in a large number of VPN services having their websites and connections blocked. As a result, we recommend you take a look at our list of the best VPNs for China.
Additionally, not all VPN providers will give you the best user experience. Some will offer mobile and desktop applications, while others may offer both, but with far more setup required. To avoid frustration in the setup process, we suggest going with a VPN that works immediately after the download and install process.
Our primary recommendation for getting access to Medium in China is ExpressVPN. This VPN service offers applications for Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, and Linux (command-line). It has a good reputation among VPN users in China, as it’s worked well in the country for some time now. ExpressVPN offers a large number of server locations around the world.
After signing up for your account, all you need to do is download and install the software. Select a VPN location outside of China and then connect. You’ll find access to Medium immediately restored.