The news that Google (GOOG) might pull out of China has quickly become the hottest topic among China’s millions of Web users, prompting expressions of shock and disappointment — as well as flower offerings.
“I heard people talking about Google’s leaving a couple of days ago, but I was still was completely stunned by the news when I arrived at the office this morning.” wrote Twitter user Fenng. “Ten years online has turned me from an optimist into a pessimist.”
Some Web users are showing their support for the company on Twitter, which, though blocked in China, can be accessed by tech-savvy netizens, where they began organizing to take real-world action. At Google offices in China, pictured below, fans of the company gathered, some bearing flowers and messages wishing Google well. The so-called “flower campaign” gave rise to several slogans, such as “Farewell for Reunion” and “GoogleBye.”
In Beijing, supporters gathered early to offer flower bouquets in front of Google’s office in the Tsinghua Science Park, pictured below. Attached to the flower bouquets were handwritten notes, including one reading “Google: Pure Man.”
One supporter, Zhou Zhijun, a 35-year-old Web site administrator, said he took a taxi for 20 yuan to the Google office to offer his respects, and spent another 60 yuan for flowers. When asked why, Zhou said, “I am not necessarily a die hard fan of Google, but I want to show respect for the fact that Google refused to censor.”
The campaign soon spread to other parts of the country. At Google’s offices in downtown Shanghai, employees gathered at the 16th floor reception desk to photograph three vases of flowers sent by local supporters of the company’s decision. As the employees read the cards, some said they had learned flowers were being sent Google offices from reading messages on Twitter.
A colorful cardboard Google logo was placed atop bouquets of orange roses, below, that had been hand delivered earlier in the day.
The card below was signed in English and Chinese by a group of self described Twitter and Google fans. An English note said “Thank you for holding values over profits!” Another note, in Chinese, reads, “Google, the mountains can’t stop our contacts, and we’ll get over the wall [a reference to the “Great Firewall”] to find you!”
Meanwhile, in Guangzhou, where the company set up an office just months ago, Google employees said that they hadn’t received any flowers from Chinese Web users.
Another group of Web users in Beijing are preparing for a gathering in front of Google’s office this evening to show support to the company. “Let’s use the slogan ‘GoogleBye’ for tonight’s gathering. See you at half past five or six o’clock!” wrote one Twitter user.
Others are taking a more wait-and-see approach. “We are waiting for an official confirmation of the news,” said Yu Yang of the Beijing-based research firm Analysys International, “If true, it would be a shock, emotionally, to all international firms operating in China.”
He added that Google’s withdrawal from China would have a negative impact on the user experience and China’s search engine market.
“I heard people talking about Google’s leaving a couple of days ago, but I was still was completely stunned by the news when I arrived at the office this morning.” wrote Twitter user Fenng. “Ten years online has turned me from an optimist into a pessimist.”
Some Web users are showing their support for the company on Twitter, which, though blocked in China, can be accessed by tech-savvy netizens, where they began organizing to take real-world action. At Google offices in China, pictured below, fans of the company gathered, some bearing flowers and messages wishing Google well. The so-called “flower campaign” gave rise to several slogans, such as “Farewell for Reunion” and “GoogleBye.”
- Josh Chin
- College junior Li Qin lays a rose on a sign at the entrance to Google’s China headquarters in Beijing
- Josh Chin
The campaign soon spread to other parts of the country. At Google’s offices in downtown Shanghai, employees gathered at the 16th floor reception desk to photograph three vases of flowers sent by local supporters of the company’s decision. As the employees read the cards, some said they had learned flowers were being sent Google offices from reading messages on Twitter.
A colorful cardboard Google logo was placed atop bouquets of orange roses, below, that had been hand delivered earlier in the day.
- James T. Areddy
- James T. Areddy
Another group of Web users in Beijing are preparing for a gathering in front of Google’s office this evening to show support to the company. “Let’s use the slogan ‘GoogleBye’ for tonight’s gathering. See you at half past five or six o’clock!” wrote one Twitter user.
Others are taking a more wait-and-see approach. “We are waiting for an official confirmation of the news,” said Yu Yang of the Beijing-based research firm Analysys International, “If true, it would be a shock, emotionally, to all international firms operating in China.”
He added that Google’s withdrawal from China would have a negative impact on the user experience and China’s search engine market.