Google Workspace is the backbone of millions of businesses worldwide. Gmail for email. Drive for storage. Docs for collaboration. Meet for video calls. Calendar for scheduling. In China, every single one of these services is blocked by the Great Firewall.
What Is Blocked
All Google services have been blocked in China since 2014. This includes Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Meet, Google Calendar, Google Maps, Google Search, YouTube, and Google Scholar. There are no exceptions for business accounts.
The Impact on Remote Work
If your company uses Google Workspace, working from China without a VPN is essentially impossible. You cannot receive email, access shared documents, join video meetings, or check your calendar. For remote workers, this is a career-threatening situation if not addressed before arriving in China.
VPN Requirements for Google Workspace
TUN Mode Is Essential
Google Workspace applications make connections at the OS level, not just through the browser. Calendar sync, Drive file sync, and Meet video/audio streams all use system-level network connections. A browser extension VPN will cover Gmail in Chrome but miss everything else.
Stability for Video Calls
Google Meet requires consistent bandwidth (1.5-3 Mbps for HD) and low latency. VPN disconnections during a Meet call cause video freeze, audio dropout, and eventual call termination. BBR congestion control helps maintain consistent throughput on lossy China-international links.
Split Routing for Chinese Apps
You need Google Workspace through VPN, but you also need WeChat, Alipay, and local Chinese services on your direct connection. Without split routing, turning on VPN breaks your Chinese apps. Split routing sends Google traffic through VPN and Chinese traffic direct.
Configuration Tips
- Enable TUN mode to capture all Google Workspace traffic
- Use a VPN with BBR congestion control for stable video calls
- Enable split routing to keep WeChat/Alipay working
- Set Google Workspace to offline mode for critical documents (they sync when VPN connects)
- Use Singapore server for lowest latency to Google's Asia-Pacific infrastructure
For companies: If you have team members in China, ensure they have reliable VPN access before they arrive. A day without Google Workspace access is a day of zero productivity.