I use alibaba, but I didn't get there through google. Nonetheless, it's a good example, except that the google that is referring people to alibaba is the US google.
I should have been clear, how is google.cn benefitting google's economy in a way that isn't also being covered by baidu or any other search engine for that matter?
It benefits Chinese users to have competition between Baidu and Google. Otherwise, there's no reason for improvement. China want's to have a part in the information economy, not just the manufacturing economy.
I believe improvement is valuable for the sake of improvement. I don't believe competition is the only reason for improvement. See my comment here: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1213199
Maybe a few centuries into the future, but at this stage we're still focused on market economies. In your other post you mention betamax vs VHS. You can build a superior product, but if it's cost is too high it won't fit the market need. Baidu has captured significant market share in China and has little reason to spend money innovating. Google has global market share and can continue to compete and innovate in other markets without the Chinese.
I should have been clear, how is google.cn benefitting google's economy in a way that isn't also being covered by baidu or any other search engine for that matter?