Thursday, December 6, 2012

Google Renews Push in China

Google, which pulled its Web-search engine out of mainland China two years ago after a confrontation with Chinese authorities over censorship, has renewed its push to expand there, Spencer Ante reports on Markets Hub. (Photo: Reuters)

Google Inc., which pulled its Web-search engine out of mainland China two years ago after a confrontation with Chinese authorities over censorship, has renewed its push to expand there, in an acknowledgment that it can't afford to miss out on the world's biggest Internet market.

The search giant is hiring more engineers, salespeople and product managers in China and working to introduce new services for Chinese consumers, according to Daniel Alegre, Google's top executive in Asia.

In particular, Google is aiming to capitalize on its fast-growing Android operating system for mobile devices, online-advertising and product-search services to grow in China, Mr. Alegre said in an interview.

One goal, he said, is to introduce its Android Market, which offers thousands of mobile applications to users of Android-powered smartphones and tablets but isn't available in China.

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During Google's 2010 clash with Chinese authorities, cofounder Sergey Brin said China's efforts to censor the Web and suppress dissidents reminded him of the 'totalitarianism' of the Soviet Union, where he was born. 'I find that personally quite troubling,' he added.

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