Microsoft wants to work with China

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer defended the company's presence in China yesterday, saying it was more helpful in easing censorship than the tougher approach of rival Google.

Ballmer said that while he respected Google's decision not to bow to censorship in China, Microsoft believed it was more productive to engage Beijing in dialogue rather than take on a country's legal system.

Members of the US Congress have accused technology giants including Microsoft abetting of China's web censorship machine.

Ballmer told the media in Singapore: "Google made another choice. I think our choice will do more to help promote free speech than the choice they've chosen."

Ballmer said in the event of a formal directive by China to remove information on its site, Microsoft's policy was to comply, out of consideration for its workers' safety.

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