Goolge have just launched in China. Emerging markets, a billion new consumers, we have to be there. You know how it works.
However, China is a totalitarian, communist state. No freedom of speech, no democracy, no freedom of religion… no freedom. Question the state, and they’ll jail you, torture you… even kill you. The individual has few rights in China.
Check this out…
An image search on Google.com with the keyword Tiananmen Square
An image search on Google.ch (google china) with the keyword Tiananmen Square
Bit of a difference, huh ?!
The big corporations, including Google, see a vast new market in China. The place to be. The future of profit. But, what price freedom ? How much do you compromise when dealing with a totalitarian regime ?
Some argue that capitalism will foster democracy in China. A growing middle class will demand reform. Maybe.
Others claim democracy would not suit China. It’s too big. It’s always been ruled from the centre – be it an imperial court or the Communist Party. China’s a special case, they argue, where democracy may not be applicable.
Who knows. What we do know is China is on the rise. The big question is whether Chinese ascendancy will translate into expansionism. A glance at the history books (Germany or Japan, for example) suggests that rising powers soon get territorial ambitions which lead to conflict.
Communist China has already invaded and occupied one neighbour, Tibet, and threatens another, Taiwan. It’s no coincidence that China is spending hard on its military. Turning it’s economic strength into military power.
In the region, Japan are beefing up their armed forces and Taiwan are buying sophisticated weaponry. North Korea remains armed to the teeth and dangerously unstable.