Google's decision to close down its internet search service on the mainland has drawn much international attention, with many praising the company for having the courage to stand up to Beijing.
The New York Times called it a 'principled and brave move, a belated acknowledgment that internet companies cannot enable a government's censorship without becoming a de facto accomplice to repression'. And Chris Smith, a US Republican congressman, described it as 'a shot heard around the world'.
Beijing, of course, played down the development, calling it merely 'an individual act of a business company' and added, 'Whether to leave or to stay, it's Google's call.'
Google's action gave a great many people unhappy with the Chinese government a sense of satisfaction. Finally, someone has told Beijing off, regardless of the consequences.
That sentiment is understandable because there is a great deal of unhappiness with China around the world. It has defiantly disregarded what many regard as international norms, disbarring human rights lawyers, throwing into prison respected intellectuals who call for democracy, and dealing with a heavy hand with the country's main ethnic minorities, the Tibetans and the Uygurs.
Despite this, China's breakneck economic, political and military growth has governments, not to say companies, fearful of offending this new global power.
So Google's action seems like a well-deserved slap in the face for China. But although it may be emotionally satisfying, one must still look at the consequences. After all, what is it that has changed since 2006, when Google first entered the mainland, and today, when it has decided to leave? Four years ago, Google concluded that its presence on the mainland would be positive even if it had to abide by Chinese censorship rules.