Will Rivals Join Google Stand Against China?

Google may be hoping rival firms join its stand against Chinese censorship and hacking, but the stakes in a conflict with the Chinese government would be much higher for Microsoft and Yahoo. While Google's business in China represents only a small share of its global revenue, the picture looks different for other global search and email giants, Reuters reports:

• Microsoft: Already has huge research and development investments in China and is pumping in more money, calling the Chinese market a top priority.
• Yahoo: Holds a complex position in China, having invested more than $1 billion in the operator of two of China's leading online commerce sites.
• Sina, Sohu and NetEase.com Inc: China's major Internet firms take care to stay on the good side of government censors and would be highly unlikely to join Google's crusade.