The Chinese government sometimes shuts down the Internet and mobile services in specific areas where unrest occurs.

The Chinese government clearly sees Internet and mobile innovation as a major driver of its global economic competitiveness going forward.

Whatever Tencent can see, the Chinese government can see.

There is clearly a constituency that appreciates the message that Google is sending, that it finds the Chinese government's attitude to the Internet and censorship unacceptable.

Whether it's Baidu or Chinese versions of YouTube or Sina or Sohu, Chinese Internet sites are getting daily directives from the government telling them what kinds of content they cannot allow on their site and what they need to delete.

The Chinese government clearly does pay attention to public opinion expressed on the Internet - the extent to which they choose to adapt their practices based on it, or ignore it, seems to vary.