My recollection was that Google was outgunned by Baidu and similar Chinese tools, who were being actively supported by the CCP, while Google was half-tolerate. At the same time, it was losing security, IP, and reputation. There was a nice PR play around it, but I don't think "Google could have made a ton more money by helping China to build the tools of repression." It's better to build those in-house.

> Don't forget how Google admitted their mistake and withdrew from the Chinese market.

Which I point to the decision they came inadvertently. It was their intention to play games with the regime which backfired on them, not vice versa.