Chinese government is the most vocal voice when it comes to the independence of Internet from America to UN. But it has unbelievable censorship on its own Netzens.
Communism wants the world to only understand its ideologies and get criticized for not being communists. Its like "heads" I win and tails you "loose".
Good progress indeed. Even though I am not sure if then laser beams is a cost effective way. But it is certainly one of only few choice we have got. Carbon nano tubes seems to be the other good option, hope next decade will bring big breakthroughs in that area.