Google to return to mainland China this fall

Google pulled out of China, the world’s largest internet market, in 2010 over concerns about cyber attacks and government surveillance. Now after five years, Google plans to return to mainland China with a censored Google Play Store.

The search giant has continued its limited presence in the country, which is reportedly to become the world's largest mobile gaming market by revenue by the end of 2015. But, Google can no longer ignore the fastest growing technology market and wants to reinstate its position in the country, The Information reported.

The report stated that by this fall, the company is expected to get the Chinese government's approval to bring in a special China version of its mobile app store for Android smartphones. Google also plans to extend its Android Wear software in China. The Play Store version will likely work on Android version 6.0 Marshmallow. It is speculated that Google will announce the new version of Play Store along with the newest Android version.

Google Play reaches out to only 21 million of an estimated 800 million Chinese mobile users, according to Reuters . Most Chinese smartphone manufacturers have evaded using Google’s services on Android devices.

Google is believed to have roped in Huawei to make one of its upcoming Nexus devices. This could be a calculated move to entice the device maker to incorporate Google Play Store.

To re-establish itself as an Internet service provider, Google has to comply with the censorship protocols and government’s regulatory laws. The local Chinese competitors include Internet giant Baidu,Tencent, Alibaba and Qihoo 360. To tap the ever growing mobile technology market, Apple has already invested $13.2 billion last quarter in Greater China.  

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