Google Responds to Rumors of Re-entry into Mainland China: Not True

CNBC AI News, August 1 – A screenshot circulating widely online today ignited speculation about Google potentially resuming its full suite of services in mainland China on September 1.

However, Google’s official Weibo account, “Google Blackboard,” swiftly responded to the rumors this evening: “We’ve noticed a screenshot circulating on the internet and social media this afternoon concerning Google China. This information is not from Google, and it is not true.”

Google’s history in mainland China is marked by its complexities. The company launched its Chinese search engine, google.cn, in 2006, and subsequently entered the mainland Chinese market in 2009 after regulatory review, quickly becoming a prominent search engine.

In March 2010, Google announced that it would no longer filter search results for sensitive information according to Chinese law, effectively moving its search services from mainland China to Hong Kong, making the website inaccessible on the mainland.

Despite the withdrawal of its core search services, Google maintains a presence in China with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, retaining a portion of its business operations.

In 2017, Google established an AI research center in Beijing focusing on education and natural language understanding. Its open-source projects have a strong following within the Chinese developer community. Google also hosts an I/O developer conference each year in China, showcasing its commitment to fostering technological innovation.

The Android operating system remains pervasive in the Chinese mobile market, with numerous domestic smartphone manufacturers leveraging the Android framework for their proprietary operating systems.

On February 4, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) launched an investigation into Google for suspected violations of the Anti-Monopoly Law.

Analysts suggest that the investigation could center on potential abuse of market dominance within the Android ecosystem, as well as any restrictive practices hindering Chinese companies’ global expansion. The investigation suggests rising regulatory scrutiny on Big Tech’s practices within China’s dynamic and vital digital economy.