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Netizens of the world, unite. You have nothing to lose but your governments, service providers and illusions

Google versus China is a defining story of our time. Like lion confronting crocodile, the global soft power of the American internet company faces the territorial hard power of the Chinese state. Contributing to this clash are the biggest revolution in information technology since Johannes Gutenberg invented the moveable-type printing press in the 15th century, and the biggest global power shift since the geopolitical rise of the west, which some historians also trace back to the 15th century. Be sure of one thing: there will be no clear winner for some time.

Following Google's decision to abandon censorship and relocate...