China examines Google's mapping request

BEIJING, CHINA: Chinese authorities are examining an application from Google for an online mapping licence, the Shanghai Daily reported on Thursday.

The National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, said Google joint venture Beijing Guxiang Information Technology Co. submitted the application in November.

During processing of the application, Google's online map service in China can maintain the status quo but its service content should not be increased, it said in a statement.

According to Chinese laws, foreign companies are banned from providing internet mapping services in China, and for joint ventures involved in such activities, foreign investors' stake in the enterprise should not exceed 50 per cent.

Foreign-funded Google China and domestic firm Ganji.com each hold a 50 per cent stake in Beijing Guxiang Information Technology, the operator of the google.cn website.