Highlights

Google should obey china's laws, netizens say

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-03-19 17:54

In China, Google is facing a complicated dilemma between stay and leave. A majority of netizens of chinadaily.com.cn deems that if Google wants to continue to do business in China, it should obey China's law.

Malaysian netizen HsunTze asked why Google thought it had the privilege to disobey the host country's law. "All foreign companies doing business in a country have an unspoken duty to the host and its people, i.e. its code of conduct, responsibilities and compliance to procedures, rules and regulations, not least the laws of the country. China is not unreasonable to expect its laws to be followed to the letter. All other countries have regulatory procedures too. No matter who you are, how big you are, when you are in someone's house you respect his space and his rights. You seek permission and you just do not impose your views. That is manners."

Sandra from Italy also chimed in: "In Italy, Google has also broken the law, and I know how disrespectful American companies and Americans themselves are. Something needs to be done to Google to make it adhere to countries' laws. Otherwise Google needs to be fined for its arrogance."

Anthony from Thailand emphasized that "each country has a different history and background. The laws and regulations in each country are different, especially for China, which has 1.3 billion in population. You shouldn't expect every country must be the same as USA. Any company that operates in the other countries must respect the law of those countries. If Google is not satisfied with China's rules, Google should leave China. "

Beijing's netizen named Hehe believes if it's Google's business tactics, it's an all-out failure. "Looks like Google's plan backfired. In trying to stir up Chinese netizens against their government, it has instead stirred up a lot more resentment against itself. Chinese people do care about freedom of expression, but not as much as they care about a perceived slight to their national sovereignty. A dose of American humility is long overdue. It comes down to one word: respect."