Google hopes to protect other business interests in China

After two months of talks with the Chinese government, Google remains determined to shut down its Google.cn search site rather than accept government censorship — but is worried about sacrificing its other business interests in China. Search is just one element of Google's business there.

Google says the company's maps, mobile phone and language translation services are rapidly gaining audience in China, with the Mountain View Internet giant booking its highest revenues there during the final quarter of 2009. Google in particular wants Chinese companies to still be allowed to buy advertising on its sites elsewhere in the world, and to retain the services of the more than 500 people it employs in China, including the stable of highly trained engineers and researchers it has recruited there, according to a person familiar with Google's thinking on the matter. But the company fears that the government could retaliate and force it out of China if it shuts down Google.cn. Losing access to what is about to become the world's second-largest economy could potentially cost Google billions in future revenues.