China was never going to be Google's to win in the first place based on their refusal to censor searches. In 2010 Google had 36% of the search market in China[1], so I imagine that "the general population" did care.

Also I'm pretty that Google isn't a nobody in "The East", The East is much more than just mainland China.

[1] https://www.slideshare.net/anksiitk/googles-negotiations-wit...