BEIJING: Users in China were able to access online services for Google Inc on Thursday, after more than a month of severe disruption that almost completely blocked people from using features such as its search, maps and e-mail functions.

The Google disruption began in the run-up to the 25th anniversary of the government’s bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

China maintains tight control over the Internet, nipping in the bud any signs of dissent or challenges to the ruling Communist Party’s leadership.

Users said they could use Google Maps and access the Google.com search engine, which redirects to a Hong Kong version of the website. Journalists were able to replicate this. Google declined to provide immediate comment. China-based anti-censorship group GreatFire.org also reported that Google services appeared to be accessible within China.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2014