Asked in an interview on ABC’s Good Morning America about Google Inc’s dispute with China, Gates said the internet is subject to different kinds of censorship around the world but has proved a consistent success at promoting openness and the exchange of ideas.
Gates, the world’s richest man, said, without mentioning Google by name, "You’ve got to decide: Do you want to obey the laws of the countries you’re in, or not? If not, you may not end up doing business there. The Chinese efforts to censor the internet have been very limited. It’s easy to go around it, and so I think keeping the internet thriving there is very important."
Google’s complaints have received backing from the White House. But China has countered with accusations that Washington was using the internet to support subversion in Iran.
Reuters reported that Bill Gates, 54, who co-founded computer software giant Microsoft, remains the company’s chairman but tends to focus his attention on philanthropic activities.
