SHANGHAI, Jan 21: China’s communist authorities censored translations of US President Barack Obama’s inauguration speech, deleting his references to communism and regimes that quash dissent.

However, their efforts appeared to backfire after the omissions drew even more attention to those words on internet forums.

“Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions,” Mr Obama said in his speech.

State-run China Central Television broadcast the speech live, but when the translator mentioned communism, the channel suddenly cut to an awkwardly smiling news anchor who was clearly unprepared for the camera to return to her.

Another excerpt that did not make it past the Chinese censors was a warning from Obama to regimes that tried to quash opposing ideas, a sensitive issue in China.

“To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist,” Mr Obama said.

The People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s mouthpiece, published a translated text of the speech on its website, omitting the word communism. The line about dissent was cut entirely.

China’s two biggest internet portals, Sina and Sohu, did the same.

The English versions of the speech appeared in some Chinese media intact.

The state-run, English language China Daily, which is aimed mainly at a foreign audience, concluded its front-page story with the dissent quote. It also ran the full English text of the speech on its website. —AFP