Li Yizhong: Google must obey China laws to stay
03/08/2010 Source: Xinhua
Global Internet giant Google must obey Chinese laws if it still wishes to continue to operate in the country, a senior government official said.
Li Yizhong, Minister of Industry and Information Technology, told reporters Monday in Beijing on the sidelines of the ongoing National People’s Congress, or parliamentary session.
“If Google still plans to continue its operations in China, it must abide by Chinese laws and respect the wills of Chinese Internet users,” the minister told reporters said when asked by a group of reporters at the Great Hall of the People.
Asked whether his ministry or any related government departments are engaged in discussion with Google, on Internet management policies in China, the minister declined to respond.
“On this matter, Google knows it best itself,” Li Yizhong said.
On January 18, one of the top executives of the California-based Internet search giant alarmed many and raised the eyebrows of more, by declaring that its operation in China is harassed by allegedly China-based hackers, and it was going to shut down its operations in China. It also said it objected to Chinese government policies to administer Internet content.
Google’s intent to leave China has drawn widespread ridicule and criticism from Chinese Internet users. Some analysts say that China’s own Internet search giant baidu.com could benefit, and Chinese users could do without Google.
