China angered at Google's move away from censorship

Google's row with China intensified today when officials condemned its decision to stop censoring Chinese search results.

The US search giant is redirecting users in mainland China to its unrestricted Hong Kong site, although Chinese firewalls mean results still come back censored.

China said Google's decision to stop censoring results is "totally wrong" and violates its promise to abide by local laws.

The Chinese government warned the company that its rejection of censorship had incensed the ruling Communist Party, which is wary of freedoms for China's 384 million internet users.

"This is totally wrong," said an official from the State Council Information Office, which oversees the internet.

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

Google's chief legal officer, David Drummond, said that providing uncensored searches through Hong Kong-based google.com.hk was "entirely legal" and would "meaningfully increase access to information for people in China".

In January Google said it, and more than 20 other companies, had been subjected to a cyber attack that originated inside China.

Workers in Beijing's IT business hub expressed their disappointment at Google's decision but said they were not surprised.

"It's a regrettable decision," said Chen Wen, 28, who works in finance in the capital's Zhongguancun technology district, where Google has its headquarters.

"I think it was inevitable though. The government was never going to compromise on filtering. China needs this company. It's a great loss for the country."

You Chuanbo, 25, who works for a computer company, said: "That is not going to last long. The government will just end up blocking access to all of Google."