Google unveils Chinese name

2006-04-12 12:17

Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, left, Kai-Fu Lee, vice president of Google China and Johnny Chou, president of Google China applaud after completing a puzzle to change the name 'Google' to Chinese characters. (Peter Parks, AFP)

Beijing - Google CEO Eric Schmidt defended the search engine's decision to cooperate with Chinese censorship as the company on Wednesday announced the creation of a Beijing research centre and unveiled its new Chinese-language brand name.

Free-speech advocates have criticised Google for blocking searches on its Chinese-language site for material about Taiwan, Tibet, democracy and other issues sensitive in China.

"We believe that the decision that we made to follow the law in China was absolutely the right one," Schmidt said at a news conference.

He said the company had to comply with official restrictions to be able to offer its services in China.

Schmidt also announced the creation of a research centre in Beijing that should have 150 employees by mid 2006.

Google also announced its new Chinese-language brand name - "Gu Ge," or "Valley Song," which the company says draws on Chinese rural traditions to describe a fruitful and rewarding experience.

- AP