The Google Express logo is seen on one of its delivery trucks parked in New York. According to reports, Google plans to return to China with a new App Store. (Photo : REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)
Google Inc. is planning to return in China with a new Android app store as the tech giant is reportedly negotiating with handset makers and Chinese government officials.
According to Market Watch, Google's move aims to return the Internet search engine company to the world's second-largest economy. According to sources, Google has been working for more than a year on a version of its Play app store including only services and apps approved by the Chinese government.
The new app store will come installed on new smartphones running on Google's licensed version of Android and made especially for the Chinese market, according to The Wall Street Journal.
One of the sources stated that Google plans to have ready the new phones by the end of the year. However, it's still unclear if the company will be able to respects the schedule.
In order to respect Chinese laws and regulations, Google needs licenses from the Chinese government. It is still unknown whether the American search engine company has been able already to have the licensed been approved.
In 2010, Google suddenly ceased most of its operations in mainland China following disagreements with the government over censorship of search results and cyber-attacks against Gmail users. There was a debate at the time within the company about whether it could exert more influence by staying in China.
The global economy has evolved and China has become the world's largest smartphone market. Today, the leading player on the Chinese smartphone market is Google's rival Apple Inc.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin was among the most outspoken critics of China's government. However, Mr. Brin stepped back recently from day-to-day operations. Product Chief Sundar Pichai has took on more responsibility, ahead of becoming Google's chief executive later this year.
Mr. Pichai declared last year that Google is committed to serving the Chinese market the best it could. The technology website The Information has reported Google's new plans to come back to China and extend its share on the market.
