Tech giant Google may return to China
科技巨頭谷歌或重返中國

Google may be on the verge of returning to China. The Silicon Valley tech giant clashed with Chinese internet regulators over censorship and security issues before it left the Chinese market five years ago. But a new report from the technology research site -- The Information -- claims a few of its services may soon be back.

It's one of the great ironies in the world of digital technology.

Google-developed Android is the most popular mobile operating system in China, yet Google's services such as search, e-mail and YouTube are not in China.

"You can't be a world power in tech and not be in China. That was always on the table, but Page took a very strong position very early on to not comply with some of the Chinese government regulations and that forced the situation where they really couldn't do anything. But at this stage of the game with China being such a huge economy, and the tech sector in China and the demand for tech products growing so high, they can't ignore it anymore," said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies.

Led by founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google has been out of China for five years.

But earlier this year, it announced a new C-E-O, Sundar PIchai, who recently stated that despite the issues of the past "It would be a privilege to serve Chinese users" and that "If we can figure out a model by which we can serve those users, it would be a privilege to do so."

"They've tried to find angles to get into the country that was good to them and acceptable to the Chinese government. It appears the simplest way is to try and get the Google store certified by the Chinese government, and even if it may be somewhat watered down compared to what you get on it, it would be a step in the door to try to use that as a platform to try to expand," Bajarin said.

The big question is whether the Chinese versions will be attractive enough to consumers to help Google gain ground on the numerous online stores throughout China already offering Android apps.

But as competitors like Apple continue to experience double-digit growth in China, Google appears to be willing to change tactics by returning for a fresh start.