The odds of Google keeping its Chinese search operation running are not looking to good. The Chinese government is advising Google’s partners to prepare contingency plans, because there’s a 99.9 percent chance that things will down, according to two Financial Times reporters. One of whom, Kathrin Hille, is located in Beijing.
Sharon LaFraniere reported for the New York Times, “The Chinese government information authorities warned some of Google’s biggest Web partners . . . that they should prepare backup plans in case Google ceases censoring the results of searches on its local Chinese-language search engine . . .”
The only thing that could stop the showdown from happening, is Google’s concern for its employees in China and the company’s desire to keep its advertising and mobile operations alive.