China Says Google's Possible Shutdown Must Meet Rules

Google's possible withdrawal from China, the world's biggest Internet market by users, must meet Chinese regulations, according to the nation's Ministry of Commerce.

Google should properly deal with any withdrawal, Yao Jian, spokesman for the ministry, said today at a press conference. The company should continue to abide by Chinese laws as it agreed to do when it initially entered the country, he said. The U.S. company is required to file a notice if it ends its operations in the country, and such a document hasn't been received by the government, Yao said. In 2006, Google agreed to comply with requirements to filter its search results to expand operations in China, where the ruling Communist Party restricts information it deems unfavorable.