'Google will have to follow our rules'

Miao Wei, vice-minister of industry and information technology, talks about Google's threat to pull out of China in a group interview on March 6 on the sidelines of the National People's Congress. Excerpts follow:

Q: What do you have to say about Google's threat to pull out of China?

Every firm has the right to decide whether or not to continue running its business in China. If Google finally decides to pull out of China, we will respect that decision. But the pullout has to follow certain Chinese laws and regulations. And Google should understand the aftermath of the action. We will continue to provide a hospitable environment for all Internet firms around the world.