Google China stops automatic redirection to Hong Kong

Google has created a new page for its Chinese users and stopped automatically redirecting them to its Hong Kong site.

Google no longer redirecting google.cn to google.hk

As you know, in March 2010, Google decided to stop filtering its search results in China, the Chinese version of Google redirecting all queries to its Hong Kong version.

Google ended the automatic redirection to its Hong Kong site. Now, when you go to google.cn, you have to click anywhere on the page and it will take you to Google Hong Kong.

From an user point of view, it doesn't change many things but Google announced it would add new services to its Chinese page.

Google's license in China at stake

Google's move comes actually at the time when Google has to renew its license. Google's ICP (Internet Content Provider) license (required to operate a business website in China) expires today. The license extends through 2012 but has to be renewed each year.

So, this decision may be seen as a concession to the Chinese government which objected to Google's strategy of redirecting Chinese users to an unfiltered site in Hong Kong. 

However, it remains unclear whether the Chinese government will accept Google's decision.

Google China to fight back against Baidu

Since its pull-out from China, Google lost share in the Chinese search market. Indeed, Google's market share declined to 31% in the first quarter from 35.6% in end of 2009. Its larger Chinese rival Baidu took full advantage of its decision.

Will Google's new strategy be more successful than the first one ?