China’s recent spat with Google should not come as a surprise. This is not some kind of complex dispute about internet search technology. China has (correctly) identified that Google is a threat to the Communist Party monopoly on power, in much the same was as the Dalai Lama or the Uighurs are. Its approach to Google will therefore be similar to its approach to all challengers – to act tough and stare them down. It may be that China can continue to cow down its opponents. If it can continue to deliver economic growth, it may be able to sustain itself in this manner for years or even decades. In fact, there is widespread support for one-party rule so long as it can deliver prosperity. But if it cannot deliver, or if its restrictions on its population serves to itself hinder growth, then all bets are off
After the Dalai Lama, China has a new enemy – Google!
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