Decrypting the Google statement
There have been many articles saying that Google is pulling out China. Well, that’s not exactly what Google said.
Here is exactly what Google stated:
We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so over the next few weeks we will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law, if at all. We recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China.
Google is not leaving China. At least not yet.
Look at what was actually said:
1) Google is not willing want to censor, so Google will 2) engage in discussion with the Chinese government and, 3) in order to operate an uncensored search engine within the law.
Law is the key word here. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Jiang Wu, stated:
China welcomes international Internet companies to conduct business within the country according to law
The question is, what law says that Google cannot index the web site of the BBC news? Anyone know?
In 2006 when Google started censoring google.cn in China I asked:
What specific law or court order is being complied with in China?
It is 2010, still no answer.
I think it is a reasonable question for Google to ask.