China rejects Google snoop claims

Hot blame potato goes to and fro

The Chinese government has rejected claims that it is responsible for problems with Gmail in recent weeks.

Yesterday Google denied there was a technical reason for the recent problems with Gmail, instead blamed the Chinese government for snooping.

Some Gmail users were unable to log onto their accounts, or having done so could not download messages.

Conspiracy theorists claimed the problems at Gmail are part of a wider clampdown by the Chinese government in reaction to recent protests in north Africa and the Middle East.

But a Chinese government spokesman told the BBC: "This is an unacceptable accusation."

Google moved operations to Hong Kong following a row over censorship in early 2010.

But the company's chief financial officer recently promised - Google's eventual return to China. ®