I guess we'll have to disagree regarding the headlines.
Still, if you apply the cynical view consistently, then Google refusing to do business in China can be seen as Google making a calculation, deciding they can't make enough money in China to justify the headache/bad PR, and claiming the decision is because of human rights issues. Same interpretation, 2 years earlier.
I think there is a substantial difference between saying a loud and clear 'No!' to the largest growth market on the planet before entering or saying it after several years of mapping that market.
For sure the calculation today is a lot more refined than it was several years ago, and probably the figures in the spreadsheets are smaller than they were back then.
Still, if you apply the cynical view consistently, then Google refusing to do business in China can be seen as Google making a calculation, deciding they can't make enough money in China to justify the headache/bad PR, and claiming the decision is because of human rights issues. Same interpretation, 2 years earlier.