The Great Chinese Fire Wall?

Einige chinesische Internet Nutzer berichteten, dass internationale Suchmaschinen wie Google und Yahoo nicht mehr erreichbar seien und sie zur chinesischen Baidu umgeleitet wurden. Dazu hier ein Artikel aus dem Newsletter "Good Morning Silicon Valley:

Remember, bowing is just another word for bending over
By JOHN MURRELL

So now it becomes clear to Google and Yahoo and the other companies that talked themselves into putting aside their principles as a cost of doing business in China -- kowtowing to dictators only makes it easier for them to kick your butt. According to reports that started trickling in last night, people trying to reach Google, Yahoo and Microsoft from within China or via Chinese ISPs are being redirected to China's own Baidu instead. The facts are still sketchy, and some users are reporting different experiences, but from appearances, either China is doing a really inept job of upgrading the Great Firewall, a really indirect job of retaliating for some offense (like honoring the Dalai Lama or launching a YouTube site in Taiwan), or a really crude job of supporting homegrown search.

Whatever's going on, it's a reminder of what U.S. companies should have known all along. Put aside your qualms, agree to all the terms, make all the concessions, and still, when the crunch comes, China will sting you. And don't act hurt or surprised when it happens. As the scorpion says in the fable, "It's my nature."