China's censorship could lead to a brain drain

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    Date: 
    3 June 2010

    Hong Kong, China (CNN) -- They are coming from cities across China, including Beijing and Shanghai:

    Students are leaving mainland China for the opportunity to study in Hong Kong instead.

    "We are a small elite who can afford freedom beyond China's great firewall," says "Li Cheng" from Shanghai.

    Li, a student at the University of Hong Kong, did not want to disclose his real name or details about his study program, fearing consequences back home.

    "I live in one country, but it feels like having two identities," Li said. "In Shanghai, I use special software to access sites blacklisted by the government, like Twitter or the uncensored version of Google.

    "In Hong Kong, I am taught to integrate these tools in my research."

    In the past, students such as Li would have to travel to far-away countries to get around Beijing's control of information.