Google recently decided to stop censoring its Google.cn website. Google will now redirect users from mainland China to Google.com.hk. Because of language differences, uncensored search will be offered in simplified Chinese specifically targeting users from mainland China.

Google's regular users in Hong Kong will continue receiving their existing uncensored service in the traditional Chinese language from Google.com.hk. The service is expected to see some slowdowns temporarily until the new system is fully in place. Google has been trying to figure out a strategy that would allow them to stop censoring search on Google.cn but the Chinese government has made clear that self-censorship is a non-negotiable legal requirement of doing business in China.

China could retaliate to this solution by blocking access to Google's services. Google has created a new webpage located
here that will allow everyone to see what Google services are available in China and it will update regularly each day. The following image shows the new page contents.

Google intends to continue its research and development work in China and to keep a sales force there as well. Google has asked the Chinese government not to hold any employees in its China branch responsible for any decisions that have been implemented by executives located in the US. For more on this story go here. Feel free to leave a comment.