Tycoon's Net firm pulls plug on alliance
By Jeremiah Marquez |
01:31 UTC+8 March 24, 2010
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AN Internet company run by one of Asia's richest men said yesterday it had ended its affiliation with Google.
Google began shifting its Chinese-based search functions to Hong Kong, where companies are not legally required to censor Internet search results.
TOM Online, an Internet firm controlled by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, said it was stopping use of Google's search services after "the expiry of an agreement."
"TOM reiterates that as a Chinese company, we adhere to rules and regulations in China where we operate our businesses," the company's parent, Hong Kong-based TOM Group, said in a statement yesterday.
TOM Online, which runs online and mobile Internet services on Chinese mainland, did not say when it stopped using Google or provide any details of its agreement with the company.
It's still unclear whether other Chinese firms that partner Google will follow suit.
From a business perspective, there are uncertainties and risks for mainland Internet users relying on a service based in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
"Some Chinese companies may want to play it safe and look at other options," said Elinor Leung, head of Asia Internet and telecommunications research at brokerage CLSA in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong "places no restrictions on access to Hong Kong-based Websites from anywhere in the world," the SAR government said.
Google began shifting its Chinese-based search functions to Hong Kong, where companies are not legally required to censor Internet search results.
TOM Online, an Internet firm controlled by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, said it was stopping use of Google's search services after "the expiry of an agreement."
"TOM reiterates that as a Chinese company, we adhere to rules and regulations in China where we operate our businesses," the company's parent, Hong Kong-based TOM Group, said in a statement yesterday.
TOM Online, which runs online and mobile Internet services on Chinese mainland, did not say when it stopped using Google or provide any details of its agreement with the company.
It's still unclear whether other Chinese firms that partner Google will follow suit.
From a business perspective, there are uncertainties and risks for mainland Internet users relying on a service based in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
"Some Chinese companies may want to play it safe and look at other options," said Elinor Leung, head of Asia Internet and telecommunications research at brokerage CLSA in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong "places no restrictions on access to Hong Kong-based Websites from anywhere in the world," the SAR government said.
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