Google’s China Map Crisis Near Resolution 谷歌中国地图争端接近解决
There are two reports out today that indicate Google’s (Nasdaq: GOOG) ongoing dispute with Beijing over its China mapping service may be close to resolution. In the more significant of the two, Chinese media are saying that Google is in talks with a Chinese partner about setting up a joint venture that would officially own and operate its China mapping service, though no deal has been struck yet. (Chinese article) Those who have followed this issue know that last week related reports emerged saying China had ‘”clarified” that foreign companies wishing to provide mapping services in China needed to do so through a joint venture with a local partner, but that the foreign partner could retain control of the venture. (previous post) Those reports seemed to indicate that Google and Beijing, which had been at loggerheads over the issue, were on the road to settling their disagreement. In the second development that indicates a resolution may be near, research firm Analysys, which tracks online services in China, is saying Google led the China online mapping market in the first quarter with 46 percent share — triple that of its closest rival, AutoNavi (Nasdaq: AMAP) with 15 percent. (English article) This shows Google has clearly spent considerable time and resources to build up this business, and hasn’t abandoned it following its high profile withdrawal from the China search market last year due to disagreements with Beijing over censorship. If things keep moving in this direction, which seems likely, I’d look for a positive announcement from Google within the next month that it has reached agreement with Beijing that will keep it in the China mapping market. On a broader basis, such a development will also be welcomed by foreign Web firms that also occasionally find themselves at odds with heavy-handed Chinese regulators.
Bottom line: Look for a resolution between Google and Beijing in the next month that will allow Google to retain its leading position in China’s online mapping market.
今天有两篇报导称，谷歌<GOOG.O>与中国政府在谷歌在华地图服务方面的争端可能接近解决了。其中一条较重要的报导说，谷歌在与一家中国合作方讨论成立合资公司事宜，以让这家合资公司接手管理谷歌的中国地图服务，但相关协议尚未敲定。如果你一直关注此事，你会记得，上周有媒体报导称，中国政府已经表示，打算在中国提供地图服务的外资企业需要与中国企业成立合资公司，但外资合作方可以保持对合资公司的控制权。这些报导似乎说明，谷歌和中国政府之间的争端即将化解。另外，调研公司Analysys表示，在中国网络地图服务市场，谷歌今年一季度的市场份额达46%，其最大的竞争对手 AutoNavi<AMAP.O>只有15%。这说明，谷歌肯定花了不少时间和资源来推进该项业务，并未在去年高调撤出中国内地市场後放弃这项业务。如果事态继续朝着这个方向发展，我觉得谷歌下月可能会宣布，它与中国政府达成协议，将继续在中国市场提供地图服务。从更广泛的意义上来说，这也会受到那些与中国监管者出现磨擦的外国网络公司的欢迎。
一句话：期待下个月谷歌和中国政府达成协议，可以继续在中国提供地图服务。
Related postings 相关文章:
◙ Google, China Seeking Map Compromise 谷歌与中国寻求妥协
◙ 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
