Google The Word Appeasement in China

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Were Google‘s warning noises about withdrawing  from communist China, following hacked accounts and a  string of cyberattacks against foreign corrspondents, a genuine ethical response? Had the internet giant arisen from its slumber to make a stand against censorship and covert-espionage, areas of activity which China’s regime specializes in, or was its public condemnation based more on economic performance in China, where it seems to have been overtaken by Chinese competitors? Then we had Hillary Clinton’s rather muted and dilute reaction.  The Secretary-of-State essentially kicked-the matter into the long-grass and carefully avoided any open critique of the Chinese authorities, issuing appeals about Beijing conducting a transparent  investigation (like requesting the Apartheid Government of South Africa to chair an inquiry into allegations of prejudice and racism against black people!)  We may never of course establish a detailed and definitive answer to these questions, but comments made today by Google‘s CEO provide a troubling insight.

Speaking (Friday January 29)  at the World Economic Forum Eric Schmidt is reported to have used the occasion to reassure Beijing of Google’s willingness and desire to remain operating in China, despite the cyber-attacks.  According to a newswire report Schmidt commentating on the controversy stated that: “We just don’t like censorship,” but claimed also that his corporation was positive about generating change from within (how many times must we hear  apologist reasoning excusing China’s odious activities, without any evidence that such collaboration brings any moderation).

Insisting that Google would  “very much like to stay in China.” he went on to say that his corporation would  “very much like the censorship we oppose to improve in China,” . Echoing comments made by Hillary Clinton the Google CEO said he feels his company can  “apply some pressure to make things better for the Chinese people.” . Critics may wonder if economic considerations, not human rights, are taxing his mind at present? As Schmidt remarked in the Wall Street Journal:  “We like what China is doing in terms of growth, we just don’t like censorship.”.

Meanwhile, we are left to speculate if the demands of realpolitic and US-Sino relations may have been brought to bear upon the Google CEO? Has Hillary been explaining a bigger political picture to Google, or was the company’s outrage at being the target of cyber attack an empty threat all along? Whatever the motivation,  one fact is certain the censorship, oppression and injustices will continue in China with little prospect of such issues being available on China’s internet.

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