It looks like there may be distress in paradise. The relationship between Google and China seems to have hit a speed bump and may completely disintegrate altogether. China’s communist views are the heart of the issue. A public reputed for dictating to and oppressing its public, China values censorship over free speech and control over human rights. This not only doesn’t sit well with most Americans; it’s become a thorn in Google’s side.
Google Takes a Stand
In the aftermath of an investigation due to hacking and snooping by the Chinese government, Google is responding to China’s demand that the search engine filter and remove links they find to be offensive or hostile to their agenda. Basically, the Chinese government desires to call the shots and desires to keep it’s citizens reliant on and believing in them without the shape of outside sources that will bring doubt into their minds and make them see the light.
Too terrible for China. They’re looking in the incorrect direction if they want help from America, let lonely one of America’s largest corporations, to realize their quest for turning public from human beings into robots with small thought of their own. Americans won’t stand for it, and neither will Google.
A Question of Human Rights
In a public like the U.S, where human rights and freedom of speech are viewed as the most valued of ideals, it’s appalling to see what China is doing. It’s nearly beyond comprehension to imagine living in a house where every thought and action is not owned by the individual, but by the government, under the guise of “what’s best for the public.” Let that happen in America, and our government would have a case of mass hysteria on it’s hands. It just wouldn’t glide here.
That’s probably why Google has vowed to stop censoring search results in China and is now threatening to pull out of the public altogether. Google is still considering their next go and is still upset by what they see as a threat to the company. This is a situation that is not likely to end with pleased faces all around. China is sure to lose.
It seems that the Chinese government has become accustomed to success and has full it for granted for far too long. In a day and age where technology means everything and Google is leading the way all over the world, how will this affect China? Not having the support of Google or access to the company’s products is sure to have some impact on China, it’s government and the function of commerce.
The Future of China
While it’s sad to see a public so lost in an oppressive way of thinking they call progress and a real shame to see them lose a valuable tool of technology, the Chinese government only has themselves to blame. Google’s not at fault. Their an American company sticking to American values. Kudos to them! Still, the whole situation leaves one to ponder what the future might bring for China.
Will losing Google now open their eyes and ultimately lead to their adopting of a more progressive and public-centered government? Will they soon follow the example America has set before them? Only time will tell. For now, China will simply have to live with the consequences of their actions.
