China arrests US website contributor

China arrested a Beijing man on suspicion of supplying prohibited news items to a US-based website, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a statement from the Beijing Public Security Bureau. Authorities accused 62-year-old Xiang Nanfu of publishing false information on the Chinese-language site Boxun.com, which seriously harmed China’s image and had a “vile” impact, they said. Boxun is among several overseas websites that provide an alternative channel for information suppressed in China. In a program broadcast on government-run China Central Television on Tuesday, Xiang appeared to admit to supplying thousands of items about protests and other disturbances.