7 Must-Read Tech Stories in China This Week

It has been a week of acrimony, argy-bargy, attacks, censure, censoring, and criticism. Sounds like fun to us…

1. Sina Weibo censoring photos, searches, for Hong Kong?

The week started with controversy after political events in Hong Kong provoked protests by locals. But, judging by the search function of China’s biggest microblogging service, Sina Weibo, there was nothing in Hong Kong worth photographing.

2. Google Maps website inaccessible in China when using ‘https’

Then, later in the week, it became apparent that the international version of Google Maps was being blocked in China when trying to use the more secure ‘https’ mode of encryption. Crowdsourced input from our readers confirmed it nationwide.

3. Vietnamese authorities keeping close eye on upcoming Baidu social site

China’s Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) looked to be launching its social discussion forums in Vietnam, but local media there were suggesting that it hasn’t had approval from the relevant authorities. To make it all worse for Baidu, there are new nationalist tensions between the two countries.

4. Anon Analytics: Qihoo is a “fraud” that’s hiding its traffic stats

Anonymous Analytics – the research wing of the hacker collective Anonymous – lobbed a virtual grenade at local web portal Qihoo 360 (NYSE:QIHU) just as Monday trading began in New York. Read the incendiary report in full on the link.

5. Be afraid: 6 reasons Samsung, HTC, and Motorola should fear the new wave of Chinese smartphones

Chinese web companies – like Baidu and Alibaba – are making their own smartphones and mobile platforms. But these are no piss-poor clones, and we reckon that the world’s top handset makers should be very afraid.

6. Apple pays Proview $60 million to settle iPad trademark dispute in China

At least Apple saw some form of reconciliation this week, with Taiwanese manufacturer Proview agreeing to a pay-off over usage of the iPad trademark in mainland China. But Apple has new worries in the form of mounting protests over dust getting behind the screens of many iMacs.