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US: Google exit from mainland China a "business decision"

ICT Materials 24 March 2010 03:48 (UTC +04:00)
Google's decision to withdraw its main Chinese website from the mainland and relocate to Hong Kong was a business decision that did not involve the US government, the US State Department said Tuesday
US: Google exit from mainland China a "business decision"

Google's decision to withdraw its main Chinese website from the mainland and relocate to Hong Kong was a business decision that did not involve the US government, the US State Department said Tuesday, dpa reported.

"This was a business decision by Google ... as to the issue of Internet freedom and the flow of information around the world," spokesman PJ Crowley said.

Google announced Monday that it was suspending its portal in China, months after suspects hacked into its system in a cyber-attack that originated in China, in part to access the emails of human- rights activists.

Crowley urged Beijing to consider the consequences of Google's decision.

"Were I China, I would seriously consider the implications when one of the world's most recognizable institutions has decided that it's too difficult to do business in China," he said.

US and Chinese officials said that Google's move should not affect relations between the two countries, though Crowley said the United States will continue its policy of raising freedom of speech issues with Beijing.

China has denied hacking into Google and alleged the internet giant violated an agreement to filter engine searches.

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