Google’s license renewed
Google’s license to operate in China has been renewed after it pledged to "abide by Chinese law", an official here said today, making it clear that American search engine has to "abide" by regulations that warranted “intrusive censorship”. An official of the Chinese Ministry of information told the state-run Xinhua news agency that the government had renewed the operation license of Beijing Guxiang Information Technology Co. Ltd., the operator of Google's China website after it pledged to abide the Chinese law. "After our assessment, we decided that Guxiang had basically met the requirements. Guxiang's license renewal application is approved," the official said. In the application letter, Guxiang pledged to "abide by Chinese law," and "ensure the company provides no law-breaking content as stipulated in the 57th statement in China's regulations concerning telecommunications." Guxiang also accepted that all content it provides is subject to supervision of government regulators, said the official. A statement said that any organisation or individual is prohibited from using the Internet to spread any content that attempts to subvert state power, undermine national security, infringe on national reputation and interests, or that incites ethnic hatred and secession, transmits pornography or violence. Google announced on Friday that its licence had been renewed. Earlier this year, Google braced for a direct confrontation with the Chinese government alleging "sophisticated" cyber attacks and intrusive censorship of information relating to Chinese dissidents. The company appears to have relented as China with over 400 million internet savy population was reluctant to forgo its 30 per cent market share established over the years. The Chinese search engine Bidu controls 60 per cent of the market share. Though it shifted to Hong Kong, Google services were continued to be available in China through Google.com.hk. Its services were expected to become normal here in the coming weeks.
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