Chinese Government Announces the Creation of State-Run Internet Search Engine
August 17, 2010
By: Randi Zung

Last week the Chinese news media reported that Xinhua, China’s official media agency, and China Mobile, China’s largest mobile telecommunications operator, had partnered in order to set up an internet search company.  According to the Financial Times, this state-controlled media venture, Search Engine New Media International Communications Company, is being created as a response to the Chinese government’s ongoing tensions with Google. 

Earlier this year, Google announced it was closing its mainland China offices after ongoing disagreements over the government’s internet censorship policies.  In a statement from Xinhua’s deputy publisher Zhou Xisheng, the new internet search company “is an important move to serve the […] party and the state, thoroughly protect the national interest, safeguard China’s information security, strengthen the establishment of a public opinion front in the new media and broaden the domestic and overseas propaganda influence and the public opinion guidance capability of the Chinese mainstream media.”  In addition, Zhou was quoted by Bloomberg Businessweek as stating the partnership of two state-controlled agencies will “safeguard [China’s] information security and push forward the robust, healthy and orderly development of China's new media industry.”

Search Engine New Media International Communications Company is expected to focus on mobile searches.  Voice of America reported that the market for mobile search engines is currently dominated by the Chinese owned firms Baidu and Easou.  Google, which is currently the third largest mobile search engine in the country, was recently granted a renewal of its operating license by the Chinese government.

Current user statistics indicate that there are approximately 420 million internet users in China.

For previous news on China’s internet usage policies, please see: http://ccd21.org/news/asia/china_versus_google.html

For a more in-depth analysis of China’s relationship with Google, please see:
China Case Study in the Diplomat’s Handbook

Sources:
Voice of America – Chinese Firms to Launch Search Engine Rivaling Google, Others

Financial Times – China Mobile Search Engine Eyes Market Share

Bloomberg Businessweek – China Mobile and Xinhua to Build Search Engine




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