Main focus of Thursday, January 14, 2010

Google threatens to quit China

The US company Google has threatened to withdraw from China's Internet market in protest at hacker attacks, theft of data and persistent censorship. The move heightens pressure on China to allow more freedom in the Web, the European press writes, but is also a tactic to better the company's image.

Diário de Notícias - Portugal

If Google pulls out of China it could have a devastating impact on China's image, the daily Diário de Notícias writes: "This step in economic relations symbolises the greatest conflict of interests between the need to exert iron control over all activities, with direct consequences for the country's policies - the a and o of the Communist Party of China's monopoly on power - and the need for a free and unrestricted flow of information on the global economic market. Time will tear down the walls of censorship: the reforms in China ... are also dependent on greater respect for social and political rights. If China ... wants to assume a major role on the international stage it must take Google's image-destroying withdrawal from its cyberspace seriously." (14/01/2010)

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More from the press review on the subject » Online media, » Press freedom, » China

The Times - United Kingdom

The dispute between Google and China is a conflict between the model of liberal capitalism and that of authoritarian capitalism, the British daily The Times comments: "The Chinese Government believes itself to be the custodian of a model of capitalism that is a competitor to the form found in the Western liberal democracies. The belief that freedoms and rights are mere luxuries that hamper economic growth has, since it was first formulated by Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, cemented authoritarian capitalism as an alternative route to prosperity. A shift from a Western to an Eastern model is currently taking place in Russia. The evidence that either model is intrinsically more productive is not yet conclusive but, in time, the creativity permissible in open societies will surely triumph. Besides, freedoms have a value in themselves, something that the Chinese people have shown they know too. This is a contest between two incompatible accounts of the future and never the twain shall meet. Google's withdrawal from China is the model of liberty declining the model of authority. It might be commerically painful but it is the right decision." (14/01/2010)

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More from the press review on the subject » Online media, » Economic Policy, » U.S., » China

Blog Carl Bildt - Sweden

In his blog Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt expresses delight at Google's decision to withdraw from China if it is confronted with further censorship: "The decision is based on Google's discovery that the Chinese authorities are infiltrating its system to access the mails of dissidents. What effect this will have remains to be seen. The fact is that Google risks losing the Chinese market, and so there's every reason to applaud the company's stance. There is a clear limit to what is acceptable and what is not. Nevertheless this story will be interesting to watch as it unfolds. In the past year we did all we could to respect the freedom of the Web, and condemned the attempts by various regimes to limit this freedom. And we shall continue to do so." (14/01/2010)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Online media, » Press freedom, » U.S., » Global, » China

Hospodářské noviny - Czech Republic

Google won't follow through on its threat to leave the Chinese market, the business paper Hospodářské Noviny believes: "The current gestures are directed more at the public in Europe and the US. Google wants to enhance its image as a pioneer in the free dissemination of information. Giving its unconditional approval for censorship of content in China could damage Google in the eyes of many Western users. The threat delivered to the Chinese communists on the company's blog is effective and doesn't cost a penny. ... It's unlikely that Google will turn its back on China. It needs China more than China needs it. The result of the dispute will probably be that the Chinese leadership relents somewhat, which the company will then chalk up as a victory. In other words: a drop of freedom for the Chinese and a sea of money for Google." (14/01/2010)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Online media, » Press freedom, » U.S., » China
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