Google (GOOG) has begun incorporating real-time Twitter results into its new Hong Kong-based search engine in a move sure to inflame already bitter tensions between the search giant and China. The move effectively lifts a nearly year-long Chinese blockade of the popular micro-blogging service, according to The Los Angeles Times, which first noticed the real-time results.
Google’s move is the latest development in an acrimonious battle between the company and China that has raged since the search giant threatened to stop censoring its China-based service over two months ago. On Monday, Google made good on its threat, prompting a furious rebuke from the Chinese government.
The real-time Twitter feed shows up on some searches on Google’s Hong Kong search engine, google.com.kh, where mainland China users were redirected after Google closed its China-based site Monday.