24 March 2010 | Author: J. Morton News Editor

Google move divides users in mainland China

After announcing and implementing a shutdown of its Google.cn service for mainland China - instead redirecting web users to its Google.com.hk unfiltered search - reactions amongst the world's largest market have been polarised.

While some users have voiced admiration for the company making a stand against the nation's internet restrictions, others have taken a nationalistic stance, seeing the move as defeat of Western influence.

"I welcome the move and support Google because an uncensored search engine is something that I need," said Zhou Shuguang, a popular Chinese blogger under the pen name of Zuola, in an interview with the Associated Press.

However, popular sentiments on Chinese news outlets have not been sympathetic. Comments responding to the news on sina.com.cn described Google as "arrogant" and having a political bent for its actions.

"It has aroused nationalistic fervour," journalist Jasmin Gu told the BBC. "Many people choose to stop using Google and support Chinese search engine Baidu." Baidu is the market leader for search in China by a 25 per cent margin; Google had the second-top spot.

The Chinese government responded with expected disagreement over the move. "We're uncompromisingly opposed to the politicization of commercial issues, and express our discontent and indignation to Google for its unreasonable accusations and conducts," a government official told the Xinhua State News Agency.

"We made patient and meticulous explanations on the questions Google raised," the official said. "Telling it we would still welcome its operation and development in China if it was willing to abide by Chinese laws, while it would be its own affair if it was determined to withdraw its service."

Dissent to the official opinion also exists though, as Beijing law professor Teng Biao told AP "China's censorship of the Internet search engine results is a violation of the most basic of human rights. By doing this, Google will bring more global attention to China's human rights situation."

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