Google launches 2nd app in China, teams up with Fudan University

Google is continuing to strengthen ties with the Chinese market by launching a second app and teaming up with Fudan University on artificial intelligence (AI) research, as the US company could not give up the largest internet market worldwide.

Google unveiled its second app in China on Thursday, named Files Go, which helps users manage files and free up space on their smartphones, according to an announcement the company sent to the Global Times. The app operates on Android smartphones, and it will be available for download at the Baidu, Huawei, Tencent and Xiaomi app stores.

On the same day, the US technology company announced a two-year partnership with Shanghai-based Fudan University, a move to push forward scientific research and innovation. They will mainly focus on studies involving AI, data sciences and mobile applications, and support further communication between Chinese and US start-ups.

“It happened to be on the same day,” a Google PR representative said when asked if the company’s latest moves would help it get back to the Chinese market. “Google has always been here,” she said, noting that the company has been working with China’s education sector since 2006.

“Faced with rising protectionism under the Donald Trump administration, Google has to strike a balance between politics and its business overseas. And the company always values China’s huge market,” said Liu Dingding, a veteran industry analyst.