Google shifts reroute tactic
Source: Agencies |
June 30, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
GOOGLE Inc said it will stop automatically redirecting web searchers in China to an uncensored portal in Hong Kong as it hopes to convince Beijing to renew its operating license in the world's largest Internet market.
Users are now required to click anywhere on the Google.cn page in order to get redirected to the Google Hong Kong search site, instead of being automatically rerouted.
Google's unexpected announcement comes a day before its China license is up for renewal.
Google shut down its mainland-based search engine on March 22 and has rerouted users to Hong Kong. But Google said regulators told the company its Internet license, which allows it to operate a music download service and other features in China, would not be renewed after it expires today if that tactic continues.
"They made it clear to us that they did not think the redirect was acceptable," said Google spokeswoman Jessica Powell.
Under the new measure, instead of being automatically switched to Hong Kong, visitors to Google.cn will see a tab that says, "We have moved to google.com.hk." Clicking on that takes users to the Chinese-language site in Hong Kong.
Automatic rerouting would end completely in the next few days, Google's Chief Legal Officer David Drummond said on a company blog.
"This new approach is consistent with our commitment not to self-censor and, we believe, with local law," said Drummond. "We are therefore hopeful that our license will be renewed on this basis."
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said he had not seen Google's announcement. However, he said, "I would like to stress that the Chinese government encourages foreign enterprises to operate in China according to law."
Users are now required to click anywhere on the Google.cn page in order to get redirected to the Google Hong Kong search site, instead of being automatically rerouted.
Google's unexpected announcement comes a day before its China license is up for renewal.
Google shut down its mainland-based search engine on March 22 and has rerouted users to Hong Kong. But Google said regulators told the company its Internet license, which allows it to operate a music download service and other features in China, would not be renewed after it expires today if that tactic continues.
"They made it clear to us that they did not think the redirect was acceptable," said Google spokeswoman Jessica Powell.
Under the new measure, instead of being automatically switched to Hong Kong, visitors to Google.cn will see a tab that says, "We have moved to google.com.hk." Clicking on that takes users to the Chinese-language site in Hong Kong.
Automatic rerouting would end completely in the next few days, Google's Chief Legal Officer David Drummond said on a company blog.
"This new approach is consistent with our commitment not to self-censor and, we believe, with local law," said Drummond. "We are therefore hopeful that our license will be renewed on this basis."
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said he had not seen Google's announcement. However, he said, "I would like to stress that the Chinese government encourages foreign enterprises to operate in China according to law."
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