BEIJING—China will not guarantee it won't censor the Internet over this summer's Beijing Olympics, nor can it guarantee to stamp out piracy of Olympic-branded goods, officials said on Thursday.

Wang Wei, executive vice president of the Beijing Olympic organisers, had promised media would have "complete freedom" to report during the event, but rights groups have regularly criticised China's commitment to that pledge.

China maintains a tight grip over the Internet, whose use is exploding in the world's most populous nation, preventing access to sites it considers anti-government, such as those of the banned spiritual group Falun Gong or Tibet independence groups.

"China has always been very cautious when it comes to the Internet," Technology Minister Wan Gang told a news conference as the Olympic torch was being paraded atop Mount Everest.

"I've not got any clear information about which sites will be shut or screened. But to protect the youth there are controls on some unhealthy websites.

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