Beijing, July 10 (ANI): China's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping has said it will not shut down the online mapping services of Google and Microsoft. his is the first time that the regulator has denied that it would close the online mapping services of these two companies. The statement also banishes concerns that Google, might have to shut down its service in China due to a drop in its market share.
"We will not investigate or shut down the websites that have submitted their applications and are under examination," the China Daily quoted official of the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, as saying.
He said that it had received applications to provide services from the offices of Google and Microsoft in China.
Companies have to obtain a license from the bureau to provide online mapping services in China.
The bureau had earlier said it would shut down unqualified websites and those that have failed to apply for a license from July 1.
Previous regulations stipulated that in order to provide online mapping services, a foreign company had to form a joint venture with a Chinese counterpart, with the domestic company owning a controlling stake.
However it was decided in June that the Chinese enterprise would not have to control the company.
Google China spokesperson Marsha Wang declined to comment on the issue
"We're in discussions with the government about how we can offer a mapping product in China" he said. (ANI)
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