Chinese government reacts angrily to Google decision

Google is to stop censoring search results in China

The Chinese government has reacted angrily to Google's plan to shift its Chinese language search operations to Hong Kong and stop censoring results, according to reports.

The move has pleased human rights groups, but has upset the Chinese government, which has described the search giant's actions as "totally wrong".

A report on the Chinese government web site said that Google had "violated its written promise", and was wrong to insinuate that state agents were to blame for the recent attacks on its systems.

"Google has violated its written promise made when entering the Chinese market by stopping filtering its searching service and blaming China in insinuation for alleged hacker attacks," said an official in charge of the Chinese Internet Bureau.

"This is totally wrong. We're uncompromisingly opposed to the politicisation of commercial issues, and express our discontent and indignation to Google for its unreasonable accusations and conducts."

The statement claims that representatives from the Chinese government met with Google at the end of January and the end of February. The parties apparently discussed how to come to an agreement on the issues, but were unable to do so.

"We made patient and meticulous explanations on the questions Google raised, [saying that] we would still welcome its operation and development in China if it was willing to abide by Chinese laws, while it would be its own affair if it was determined to withdraw its service," said the official.

"Foreign companies must abide by Chinese laws and regulations when they operate in China."