What’s going on with Google? Millions of Chinese netizens are wondering.
On Google China’s Blackboard, a Chinese-language blog run by Google.cn, a post titled ‘clear the air of rumors’ stated:

"过去几天里，我们看到有很多关于谷歌中国以及谷歌员工的不真实的传言，一 些报道称我们已经关闭了在中国的办公室，还有一些报道称我们在中国的员工已经接到通知将于近期离职。这些都是不真实的。目前，谷歌中国的员工同过去一样在 办公室正常工作，讨论产品开发，与客户进行沟通。尽管谷歌总部管理层近期宣布他们将会在未来的几个星期与中国政府就一些事宜进行商讨，谷歌中国的员工们仍 在一如既往地努力向我们的用户和合作伙伴提供最好的产品和服务，用户和合作伙伴对谷歌是非常重要的"

In the past few days we have heard many rumors about Google China and its local employees. Some reported that we have shut down the offices in China and some claimed our Chinese staff would lose their jobs in the near future. These rumors are not true! Chinese employees of Google.cn are, as usual, working in the office, discussing product development and talking with our clients. Although management in Google HQ announced their decision to discuss some issues with the Chinese government, Chinese employees are working hard as always to provide the best service and products to our clients and partners, who are crucial to Google.cn. Jan 19

Last week, Google in its official blog announced its surprising decision to stop censoring the content on its Chinese website, a move interpreted by many as a threat to quit the China market if necessary. It triggered mass reaction from Chinese netizens who mostly supported the action.

However the matter is more complicated than people thought. Rumors about Google’s real intent soon spread across the internet. Different interpretations and perspectives on its possible exit were floated and the controversy has not yet ceased.