In China, calls on the internet to stage its own Egypt-style revolution have led to activists being arrested and a tense stand-off in the middle of Beijing. Reports said as many as 15 high-profile Chinese activists and human rights lawyers have been rounded up by authorities. They are reportedly being held in custody without charges. The postings, many of which appeared to have originated on overseas websites run by exiled Chinese political activists, called for protests in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and 10 other major Chinese cities. At the suggested time and place for protests to begin in the heart of Beijing, hundreds of police were on hand. According to Internet postings, only a few demonstrators appeared in other cities, although large police contingents were seen at designated protest spots in Shanghai, Harbin, Guangzhou and Chengdu. The Chinese government has expended tremendous resources to police the Internet and block anti-government postings and other politically sensitive material with a system known as the “Great Firewall of China”.