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Google wants R&D and sales to stay in China - but is that realistic?

Animosity towards Google is rising in China, and the search giant is worried about repurcussions againsts its Chinese staff...
Written by Tom Foremski, Contributor

Special Report: Google-China Google has stopped censoring its search results but said it would retain its R&D centers and its sales teams.

But can it remain in China given the rising animosity to its opposition of the Chinese government? Can its employees in China feel safe from repercussions?

Google is aware of the problem and it is trying to protect its Chinese employees, today it stated:

...we would like to make clear that all these decisions have been driven and implemented by our executives in the United States, and that none of our employees in China can, or should, be held responsible for them.

But feelings towards Google are running high in China. Over the past weekend, the Chinese government and allied media organizations, stepped up a publicity campaign against Google.

Sam Gustin, writing in the Daily Finance, reported: Chinese Media: Google Is Tied to U.S. Intelligence - DailyFinance

Chinese media organs lashed out at Google (GOOG) in an apparently coordinated assault on Saturday -- with one paper suggesting Google is linked to the U.S. Intelligence Agencies...

Reuters reported: China state media accuses Google of political agenda | Reuters

China's state media on Sunday accused Google Inc of pushing a political agenda by "groundlessly accusing the Chinese government" of supporting hacker attacks and by trying to export its own culture, values and ideas.

Also, Google users in China have not had any explanation for its position, claims an open letter by Chinese "netizens" to Google and Chinese government ministers. Please see: RConversation: Chinese netizens' open letter to the Chinese Government and Google

It doesn't look like Google can have its cake and eat it, when it comes to opposing the Chinese government and remaining in the country.

--- Please see:

Doug Hanchard: Facing Great Wall, Google has few options

Larry Dignan: Google vs. China: Is a graceful exit possible?

Ed Burnette: Why Google should stay in China

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