China: Google withdrawal will not affect U.S. trade relations

According to Chinese media reports, Yao said the ministry had received no indications from Google that the company will leave China.

“So far, the MOC and Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce have received no reports that Google would withdraw investment from China, or withdraw from the Chinese market,” Yao said in a press conference.

Google earlier this week said it would no longer censor its search engine results in China and that it was considering pulling out of the country.

Some commentators in China have said Google’s decision has more to do with business; it holds about 30 percent of the market while Baidu, a Chinese rival, holds a majority share.