Google may be planning to launch a Chinese version of its Google Play app store beforethe end of the year, according to the Chinese media.
Ithas been rumored that the Internet giant hopes to return to the mainland Chinese market. If Google does end up launching Google Play in China,it would be a major change for the company and its impact on the Chinese market.
Google left the Chinese market in 2010, pulling its search engine services. However, like many other companies, Google cannot ignore the size of the Chinese market.
Anumber of U.S. social networking companies have launched Chinese versions of their sites in mainland China. Last year, LinkedIn entered the Chinese market. Facebook also seems tobe working towards breaking into the Chinese market with its recent diplomatic efforts.
Google has a unique advantage in Chin a.Google Play runs on Android, and popular Chinese smart phone makers Huawei,Xiaomi, and Lenovo all produce phones with Android operating systems.
Googlehas not confirmed whether or not it plans to reenter the Chinese market.