Summary: The news is about that China ignore an ultimatum from Google to relax internet censorship. There is a high possibility for google to close its Google.cn service.
It is really breaking news that the world’s most famous search engine may close its Chinese Google.cn service, although the conflicts between Google and Chinese Government on pornography, human rights and dominion (e.g. Tibet) have exist for long. As many Google fans, I also enjoy the conveniences it brings every day. Millions of “netizens” (users of internet) favor Google and China always play an important role in Google’s global strategy. I do believe that if both sides are willing to negotiate sincerely. The entire problem will be definitely solved. Otherwise as Lu Benfu(an internet economist) said: “It will be a lose-lose situation for the whole industry.”
If the worst situation comes in the end, I believe Google will suffer more than they can imagine. Meanwhile the homegrown search baidu will automatically control the big share of the market left by Google. As the largest developing country, China attracts billions of company to develop business in China. How can Google against the trend?
After all, the requirements of the Chinese media authorities sound reasonable. I understand there are some more “freedom” in western countries however it is absolute wrong to view other countries from other culture in the same way. Google need to respect Chinese culture as well as Chinese people rather than take the human rights as an excuse.
I cannot agree with Teng Biao(a law professor and human rights lawyer) that “Google leaving China makes people sad, but accepting censorship to stay in China and abandoning its ‘Don’t Be Evil’ principle is more than just sad.” It is sure an abracadabra that if conduct business according to the law is “more than just sad” , then maybe that is the reason the economic crisis happened in western countries while China remain developing fast. So it seems there is not only conflict between companies and Government, maybe we should say: Good luck and goodbye Google, we have baidu.
This is my personal point of view.
Harry
(From Times Online January 14, 2010
China set to ignore Google demands for end to censorship Jane Macartney in Beijing
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6987377.ece)
I strongly agree with you that the comment, "accepting censorship to stay in China and abandoning its ‘Don’t Be Evil’ principle is more than just sad", is an abracadabra.
回复删除Different countries have different national conditions. China, a country with a broad territory and a large population, has a great number of nationalities with various cultures, and thus has always been fragmented in its long history. At any time, stability and unity is our prime and the separatists activities will be fighted unequivocally.
I think that there should be more freedom, but not absolute freedom of information act and speech in China, to strengthen the supervision by media and public. Moreover, the exit of Google will result that Baidu monopolises the search engine market. It is unhealthy to the development of internet economy.
By the way, I'm Sally.
回复删除Sally, Think you for your support! Hope you notice the comments on TIMEs under this article.
回复删除I strongly agree with your point that "it is absolute wrong to view other countries from other culture in the same way". If foreign companies want to succeed in China, they must cater to Chinese own culture rather than following the trend of westernizing. China has it special circumstance. If the strict censorship is abandoned, it may cause chaos, even riots in China. Once the stability of the society is lost, the protection of human rights is also lost.
回复删除I think Google should understand this and not simply criticize the censorship in China.
Learning to deal with problems about culture clash is crucial in international business.
You know what, Google has decided to stay...I guess google has made some compromises with the government. From the beginning, I've never thought that google was really going to quit China, after all, China has the most internet users in the whole world, surpassing even the US. I knew Google is retaliative and falling behind Baidu is only temporary. Google offers a lot more information than Baidu, especially when it comes to keywords in English. However, I do believe that last week's rumor was somewhat like a "Chaozuo". Google needed some attention and reputation...
回复删除oh yeah.. by the way, i'm Alex
回复删除I can't agree more that "if the worst situation comes in the end, I believe Google will suffer more than they can imagine". If Google quits China, they are going to abandon a market with huge potencial. In addition, as you have mentioned, it is surely against their global strategy. China is now an important menber in the world. It will be a unwise choice if Google really quits China.
回复删除Actually, in my opinion, the reasons that Google have provided for the push-out of China were very possible excuses. Google covers about 30 percent of the market in China far behind Baidu. The profit made may not be that satisfatory. Also, Google are having some problems about copyright with some Chinese writers. These may be the reasons behind those "censorship" thing.