Google's Play Store may return to China in 2016

Google is planning to roll out Google Play Store in China after Chinese New Year in February 2016. This will be the first time Google re-enters the Chinese market since it ended localised product support in 2010.

In order to start, Google will have to strictly implty with China's regulations on filtering content that is considered by the Communist Party to be sensitive. Back in 2010, Google refused to agree to these terms and is the reason why they weren't allowed to operate in China. Most Android phones in China don't have Google Play Store or Google apps like YouTube, Gmail and Maps, instead they use local app stores, communication tools and video services.

The Chinese version of the Google Play store will be specifically designed and adapted to the needs of China, and won't be linked to the international version of Google Play Store. The Play Store would also be used as a launchpad for Google to introduce their products and services, although, they haven't finalized on what product or service to introduce next in China.

Analysts believe that Google eventually will regain the Chinese market, because it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore 1.3 billion people in China.

Source