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As long as the government doesn't allow unobstructed access to foreign websites that aren't even remotely related to politics I don't see that transition any time soon. </rant>

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I'm the last person to be an apologist for the Great Firewall, but how does it preclude the OP's point? The Chinese-language web and Chinese Internet users represent a pretty sizeable chuck, to the point that it's self-sustainable and innovation definitely occurs within this space. The Great Firewall just results in a walled garden; access to Facebook isn't going to magically spur innovation!

(Don't get me wrong: The Great Firewall is not a good thing, but I don't see it being wholly relevant here.)

First of all, that comment is mixed with a bit of rant. But seriously, the issue is so much more than mere access to Facebook. The connection to GitHub, Google Code, or anything via ssh or HTTPS in general is slow, flaky and frustrating. This poses a cost on acquiring latest news and technology, collaborating and deploying. AS for the walled garden, there's a Chinese saying of 闭门造车, which says if you build a cart with a closed door without any exchange of ideas, you can't make much progress. (Though that's not what the phrase originally meant, but the meaning when the phrase evolved)

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