Access to Gmail for Chinese users remains restricted but now a state owned newspaper has offered words of advice on the matter.
Global Times, which is controlled by the Chinese authorities, said if the government has indeed blocked access to Gmail, then there must be good reasons – such as “newly emerged security reasons”.
The editorial said it that is the reason for the service not working, users “need to accept the reality of Gmail being suspended in China”.
But the editorial is interlarded with ifs and buts. It suggests that there may be a technical glitch on Google’s side. And it said the Western press has accused the government of strengthening cyber censorship.
“The issue at heart is to what extent Google is willing to obey Chinese law, on which China’s attitude is steadfast,” it continued.
Chinese law was the reason that Google decided to quit the mainland in 2010.
Global Times accuses Google of running into conflict with other authorities.
“China welcomes the company to do business on the prerequisite that it obeys Chinese law; however, Google values more its reluctance to be restricted by Chinese law, resulting in conflict.”
