Google, China Seeking Map Compromise 谷歌与中国寻求妥协

After 2 months of silence following its latest spat with Beiijing, Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) has suddenly reappeared on the China map, and early signs look like the impasse may be moving towards a positive resolution. Chinese  media are reporting that in what looks like a subtle shift, Beijing has determined that any foreign operator of an online mapping service in China must still have a Chinese partner, but it has “clarified” that such a local partner need not hold a majority stake in the venture. (Chinese article) As many may recall, the latest impasse broke out in late March and early April, when Google failed to submit an application before a Beijing-imposed deadline for government registration off all companies offering mapping services in China. (previous post) The deadline was part of a broader recent trend that has seen Beijing try to take a more assertive posture in registering and regulating this kind of emerging industry. Google belatedly entered into talks with the central government, but never made any official public remarks on the situation. With this latest development, it appears the two sides may be inching towards a compromise by allowing Beijing to force Google into a local joint venture, while letting Google keep clear control of the business. At the end of the day, Beijing is probably realizing it benefits no one to lock an industry leader and innovator like Google out of its market, while Google itself also realizes China is too big to ignore, following its high-profile withdrawal last year from the domestic search market.

Bottom line: A potential compromise in the latest spat between Google and Beijing could mark the start of a more pragmatic relationship between China and foreign media.

谷歌<GOOG.O>在经历两个月的沉默後，突然重新在中国浮出水面，早期迹象显示其在华业务僵局或许正朝着积极方向发展。据中国媒体报导，中国规定，在华提供在线地图服务的海外运营企业仍必须成立合资企业，但明确表示中方企业无须控股。很多人应该记得，今年3月底、4月初，谷歌与中国政府在地图服务上陷入僵局，当时谷歌未能在中国政府规定的最後期限内申请互联网地图服务测绘资质。谷歌较晚才开始与中国政府展开谈判，且对此问题没有发表任何公开声明。而鉴於事态最新进展，即谷歌似乎同意北京建立合资企业的要求，而北京看来也允许谷歌控制该合资企业，似乎双方距离妥协又近了一步。北京或许最终意识到，将谷歌这样的行业领袖与创新企业挡在门外，与人与己都无好处。而谷歌在去年高调退出中国内地搜索市场後，也认识到中国市场实在大得难以忽略。

一句话：谷歌与中国政府有望就最新争执达成妥协，这可能标志着中国与外国媒体的关系将开始变得更加务实。

Related postings 相关文章:

◙ Google Falling Off The China Map 谷歌地图：谈判也没用

◙ Google Bracing for Another Clash with Beijing 谷歌：英雄气短

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