China partially blocks Google search results from Hong Kong, the saga continues
By Vlad Savov 
posted March 23rd 2010 9:10AM
posted March 23rd 2010 9:10AM
You didn't think that just because Google started redirecting its Google.cn domain to its Hong Kong site, we were coming to a neat compromise to the big brouhaha between the search giant and China, did you? Oh no, brother, this thing is far from over. China has now responded by whipping its state computers into a filtering frenzy, blocking and censoring out content it considers objectionable from Google's HK-based search results. Adding to its show of strength, it's expected the Chinese government's influence will also result in China Mobile canceling a deal to have Google as its default search provider on mobile handsets. We suppose it's Google's turn to respond now. How about offering a friendly game of badminton to settle their differences? [Thanks, Colin]
@juanvaldez well there's nothing you (or anyone else) can do about it so what's the point in caring? Sure we feel some level of SYMPATHY for the Chinese people for having to put up with this sh*t but it's not our fault and there's nothing we can do to change it so what's the point in wasting our lives thinking and reading about it?
this is going to affect me so much.. i am going back to China after my studies and have been contemplating on buying the one of the new HTC android phones... now you tell me it can't access most of the familiar google apps on them?! I have to resort to Bing for search and maps?? need to reconsider the decision to buy or not to buy..
@coolblue2000 Good post, very informative.
LOL give me a break, google is way over it's head thinking it can do anything to China. China don't need google, it's the other way around.
No surprises here.
After me explaining this yesterday I was told I didn't understand this and this would not happen as Hong Kong is a financial center.
Yet Hong Kong is CHINA and I am correct.
Screw the Chinese government..
China is very quick to point out that Google was breaking it's rules and therefore Google was at blame
Well what about China breaking from our ideals, free trade and free SPEECH go hand in hand!
This is a new form of "SLAVERY" , "DIGITAL SLAVERY", just like banning certain "BOOKS"
@iPaul Well, China really has no reason to hold to our ideals anyway. There's no real repercussion to breaking them.
Not trying to say China's ok, they're not-- but the argument doesn't hold weight. Yes, Google is acting in a very un-businesslike manner. But I think that's perfectly amiable in this situation.
@FallenArms3 And thats the problem. China need to be given more reasons to follow our "CIVIL" laws not create ones that oppress their own people for "FREE SPEECH". This has nothing to do with "un-business like" behavior and all to do with China's membership to the WTO. China should never have been granted access to the WTO without proper incentive to maintain "CIVIL" freedoms of speech laws, and currency manipulation to name a but a few things.
Our trade is totally unacceptable with China. They don't like our "FREEDOMS" and we don't like their "MANIPULATIONS" of truth and currency.
We need to spend our money elsewhere.
@tracdoor G cares because China is a lump-sum of money. Profit-oriented shouldn’t mean giving up all principles. They tried to find a middle ground and got hacked by the government lackies.
In general, history has looked more kindly at those who have upheld principles. This is nothing if not historic. Reactions: http://bit.ly/china-and-google-battle
@tracdoor Well that's a very fatalist perspective you've got there. Do you let every problem in life hammer you down just because no golden opportunity presents itself for you to "do something about it"?
Problems don't hand you solutions on a silver platter. If you want to solve one, you absolutely can... but depending on the problem, it takes work.
Now before you call me out, no, I'm not doing anything about China right now. But Google is, even if it's for ulterior motives. I just hope you don't take this perspective on other things in your life. Saying, 'there's nothing I can do about it' is just a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Google's stock looks good right now. I've never been in the market, but this is something I can invest in. Conscious capitalism is deserving of support.
@Goc
There're loads of Chinese got jailed, kidnapped or simply disappeared because they tried to uncover scandals or speaked against the government. What you said is an insult to those brave people.
@Goc
sorry dud, in fact, chinese people do care, especially the elites. we fuckin' hate these crazy stuffs! but in this situation, we really don't have much choice.
Is it a sign of the times that wars now can be fought between countries and corporations not just other countries? Interestingly, Google's soft weaponry can be just as effective as ordnance. However, I am wondering where this could end up.
I am glad the Taiwan is not part of China, we don't have to go the long way to the HK for searching. Bless them.