If the rumors are true, Google is apparently planning to make a return to China where they will launch a censored version of its search engine to appease the local government. However given Google’s absence in the country for as long as it has been, obviously the competition has managed to fill that gap.
The competition comes in the form of Baidu who many have regarded as the Google of China. The company also doesn’t seem to be too fazed with the idea of Google returning because in a private post on social media by the company’s CEO Robin Li (which has since been confirmed by the company), he wrote that if Google and Baidu were to come up against each other, Baidu would win.
He also adds that Chinese companies have the ability and confidence to compete globally, which is pretty evident when you consider that Huawei has recently dethroned Apple as the second largest smartphone seller in the world. That being said, it is understandable that many Western companies are looking to do business in China given the country’s sheer population and economy.
Even companies such as Apple have played nice, although there are some in the US who don’t seem too thrilled with the idea of US companies working with the Chinese government.