Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Beijing Said Facebook and Google Are Welcome Back To China as Long as They 'Respect China's Laws' (qz.com)

Posted by msmash on from the great-wall dept.

Will Facebook and Google come back to China? The Chinese government says they can, as long as they "respect China's laws." From a Quartz report: Yesterday at a press conference held in preparation for the upcoming World Internet Conference, a Bloomberg reporter asked Ren Xianliang, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of China (which oversees internet governance) if the government would permit the two American internet giants to re-enter China. Both companies still have business-facing services in China, but Google effectively closed its consumer-facing search engine there in 2010, and authorities have blocked Facebook's social network since 2009. To this, Ren said, "China's internet development has always maintained a policy of openness. As for foreign internet companies, as long as they respect China's laws, don't harm the interests of the country, and don't harm the interests of consumers, we welcome them to enter China, where they can together share the benefits of China's developing internet."

7 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. We welcome them back to get a huge cut by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    i.e., they give us a lot of money and share data collected

    1. Re:We welcome them back to get a huge cut by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      so basically the same terms as the US has for them give us money (tax on income?) and share data (NSA/FBI etc)

  2. "we'll respect your laws..." by v1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... when your laws start respecting your people.

    --
    I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
  3. Facebook and Google welcome... by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...as long as the agree to China's laws:

    Meaning censorship, sharing data on dissidents, funnel money into China and not take any out, agree to let the state quietly execute any employees who speaks bad about the leadership.

    --
    "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    1. Re: Facebook and Google welcome... by peragrin · · Score: 4, Insightful

      There is a slight difference the NSA can't arrest anyone where in China billionaires how don't pay the party dues properly disappear.

      The big thing is censorship. China wants the ability to shutdown google or Facebook has a news story that runs counter to government interests.

      That is huge. Every second of every day Americans are used to hating on government and its interests.

      --
      i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
  4. What China really said: by LeftCoastThinker · · Score: 5, Interesting

    As for foreign internet companies, as long as they help us violate the privacy of our citizens, commit human rights violations and destroy any political opposition. (FTFY)

    People equating China and the US have no damn clue how repressive China still is, most especially to it's own people. They have come a long way, but they still have a long way to go. Hopefully they don't decide to start WW3 before they get to a free society.

    --
    If you disagree, please post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like
  5. don't harm the interests of consumers by frovingslosh · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ..... don't harm the interests of consumers

    That's pretty much a deal breaker.

    --
    I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.