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Beijing, China - (via THE HOSTING NEWS) - July 29, 2005 - Google’s decision to pick Beijing for its eighth research and development center marks a major transformation from the virtual to real world for billions and will result in a huge leap forward for the company, according to Shayne Heffernan, a Shanghai based commentator.

The world’s premier search engine had good reasons for choosing the Chinese capital. Beijing is home to much of the country’s top IT talent while tech and telecom entrepreneurs abound there.

Moreover, eight is an auspicious number in Chinese culture - it is associated with wealth.

The Google center is its third such facility in Asia - following Bangalore and Tokyo. Its European facilities are in Zurich, New York, Kirkland (Washington), Santa Monica (California) and one at the Google headquarters in Mountain View, California.

Shayne Heffernan also said Google’s operating licenses have not been finalised with Chinese regulatory authorities but a company statement said permission was expected some time during the third quarter.

Things have not always been easy for the company in China. The government has blocked Google’s website on several occasions since the introduction of its Chinese language features, mainly due to fear of the information empowerment the company offers to individuals doing keyword searches.

The Chinese government’s intolerance towards digital freedom of thought and expression is getting more sophisticated, however.

Depending on the website, it is now permissible for citizens to browse - although blogging is still banned.

The change in officialdom’s attitude has to do with boosting business and national technical expertise, and Google offers plenty of potential for both.

Shayne Heffernan added, ”With mobile users being over three times the number of Internet users in China, a focus on mobile solutions will be a key priority for Google”.

In mid-2005, China reported more than 350 million mobile phone users and 100 million Internet users.

Shayne Heffernan notes, ”Google has been ‘virtually’ here (in China) for years - Chinese Internet users have embraced it along with the rest of the world.”

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