Google China: Is an End to the Drama Near?

March 19, 2010 - By Justin E. Gehrke

March 19, 2010 – According to a China Business News report released Friday, an unnamed Google employee was quoted as saying the company is likely to announce on Monday its decision regarding future operations in China. An external source identified only as an “authorized local agent” went as far as to say that they had received unofficial word that Google Corp. (GOOG) would cease operations on April 10, 2010.

The agent reportedly said they had “…received information saying that Google will leave China on April 10, but this information has not at present been confirmed by Google.” As of the writing of this article, no official information regarding the speculated departure has been posted in the Google Press Center.

Since Geek Shui Living’s posting of an article, entitled “China May Soon No Longer Be Able to ‘Google It’” on March 13, 2010, little in the way of additional information has been released either officially or unofficially, by either side. Throughout the week, speculation has continued to run rampant regarding Google’s future in China, following the hacking incident allegedly orchestrated by the Chinese government. What is certain is that some sort of decisive action will be taken by Google. For the sake of both Google and its local business partners in China, many hope that such action will be seen in the form of an announcement of a successful resolution, between the computing giant and the traditionally controlling Chinese government.