Comments on: No booze or jokes for Googlers in China

In its move to comply with Chinese laws, the search giant filters out a wide range of sites beyond those critical of Beijing.

[206538395198018178908092208948]

Hong Kong; an experiment in contradiction.

Thank your for your comments, Michael. I'm sure you realize that the discussion of Hong Kong's relationship to the rest of China is tremendously complex and difficult to understand. It goes far beyond the scope of this board. As you mentioned, The Basic Law, adopted April 4, 1990, and effective July 1, 1997, serves as the constitutional document of Hong Kong. It defines and determines the policies of the People's Republic of China regarding the operation of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region. This serves to allow Hong Kong to continue its capitalist system which in turn gives the region a special relationship with the United States and other free trade nations. Additionally, it guarantees and protects a number of rights and freedoms accorded the Hong Kong people that other Chinese citizens do not share. This has created a curious divisiveness that is still unfolding today. This law will be in effect for fifty years, and will mold the behavior and perception of the Chinese government and people towards the Hong Kong citizenry and administration. It is an experiment in capitalism for China, and to say that it is in a condition of flux would be an understatement. China, the oldest continuous civilization in the world, does not make decisions quickly or without considering the lessons of history. It is very difficult for the Westerner to perceive the influence of the past to the Chinese mindset. Here is a quote from the Yale Journal that addresses somewhat the complexity of the issues involved: "While recognizing that Hong Kong has become a part of China, the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 establishes domestic legal authority to treat Hong Kong as an entity distinct from the People's Republic of China after reversion. This accepts and reinforces the Joint Declaration concept of one country, two systems.
Since China gained control of Hong Kong in the 1997 handover from Britain, international observers have wondered whether Beijing would allow the island to retain its separate identity. In many ways, Beijing has indeed followed its promise of "one country, two systems," recognizing that Hong Kong's property rights and entrepreneurial spirit do much to fuel the economic growth of larger China. But worries about the autonomy and paucity of democracy in Hong Kong's political decision-making, as well as the difficulties of instituting direct elections, indicate that Beijing is not prepared to allow the Special Administrative Region all freedoms enjoyed under British rule. The mainland's conflicted relationship with Hong Kong, writes Michael DeGolyer, contains many clues as to its foreign policy in general. A China that is prepared to offer Hong Kong measured rights and peaceful economic integration with the rest of the country is likely to be a China that remains receptive to international trade and its own economic liberalization. But if Beijing cracks down on peaceful demonstrators in Hong Kong or attempts to stifle that city's rights, its general international outlook will be ominous and isolationist. Thus, as DeGolyer describes, Hong Kong is like the canary in a mine, its health or peril likely to presage China's attitudes towards the rest of the world." ?YaleGlobal
The idea of Hong Kong as a "canary in the mine" is a succinct observation. Hong Kong is both a model and a public relations effort on the part of the Chinese in their attempt to interact with the rest of the world. It is encouraging to see the isolationist philosophy of the country challenged, but it will be many years before the results are in. Again, quoting the Yale Journal:
Hong Kong As a Clue to the Future China
Michael E. DeGolyer
Hong Kong Journal, 23 January 2006
"How far and fast is China willing to go in developing the rule of law as well as human and property rights? The United States, in particular, remains uncertain whether China is or will be an international partner or adversary. Perhaps that is why every US negotiator visiting China in 2005, including President George W. Bush, has emphasized China's need to adhere to a rules-based regime of trade and international relations." http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6862
Hong Kong is truly an experiment in contradictions!

[Smokie92]

Google Censors

Setting up new web sites in foreign countries is something that must be done with consideration of the countries government policies. China is not the United States and Google is doing what they feel is best for Google. Who are we to pass judgement on Google for making a company decision that does not affect the American people. The only ones who can complain with any merit are the site not posted on Google in China. Search engines is a service that web sites pay a fee to have their sites posted. If the banded sites paid a fee to be posted in China, then ask for your money back.

[myleslong]

Goolag

cDc has launced a global campaign against Google. Here is the info: http://www.cultdeadcow.com/archives/2006/02/cdc_launches_global_.php3

-Myles Long
Director of Depravity
cDc communications / CULT OF THE DEAD COW
[e-mail] / www.cultdeadcow.com