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Google's New Approach For China Is To Serve From Hong Kong

Posted by Soulskill on from the gauntlet-thrown dept.

abs0lutz3ro writes with a major update to the Google/China situation we've been discussing so much lately: "Google has stopped censoring simplified Chinese search results on google.cn by redirecting users to google.com.hk, which Google maintains is entirely legal. From the official blog: 'We want as many people in the world as possible to have access to our services, including users in mainland China, yet the Chinese government has been crystal clear throughout our discussions that self-censorship is a non-negotiable legal requirement. We believe this new approach of providing uncensored search in simplified Chinese from Google.com.hk is a sensible solution to the challenges we've faced—it's entirely legal and will meaningfully increase access to information for people in China. We very much hope that the Chinese government respects our decision, though we are well aware that it could at any time block access to our services. We will therefore be carefully monitoring access issues, and have created this new web page, which we will update regularly each day, so that everyone can see which Google services are available in China.' Seems like google.cn got served (from google.com.hk)."

5 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Did I miss something? by Conception · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Same country, different laws regarding censorship.

  2. Re:Did I miss something? by guabah · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Last time I checked, Hong Kong was was transfered to full Chinese control about 13 years ago. So is this some sort of symbolic stunt done for some obscure reason, or is it actually supposed to accomplish something? Saying you're going to defy Chinese control by moving your HQ from Beijing to Hong Kong is like saying you're going to get out from under U.S. control by moving from New York to Chicago.

    More like moving to Guam, Northern Marianas, or maybe, Puerto Rico or USVI given the 'non-State' status of those.

  3. Re:China's next move by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Just like chess, one player (China) will eventually decide it's had enough and just flip the board over, declaring victory.

  4. They already own it by maroberts · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Hong Kong is part of China, it has different regulations however as a result of being handed over by the UK. I believe the phrase is "one country, two systems". In all fairness its not a bad idea; if China were this flexible over Tibet they would be getting a lot of International Brownie points

    --

    Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
    Karma: Chameleon

  5. Re:Did I miss something? by selven · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If a robber points a gun at a child and tells you to hand over all your money, and you refuse, and the child gets shot, you are NOT responsible for the child's death. That would be ridiculous, and would essentially give criminals legal force. The robber alone is responsible.

    Pragmatically, this might cause trouble for Hong Kong, but morally, Google's in the right here.