China: Google withdrawal will not affect U.S. trade relations

Google's threat to leave China will not have a negative impact on trade agreements between China and the U.S., China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) spokesman Yao Jian said Friday.

"Foreign investors should have confidence in China's market as China has the world's biggest Internet population," said Yao. "Any decision by Google to withdraw from China will not affect Sino-U.S. trade relations.

According to Chinese media reports, Yao said the ministry had received no indications from Google that the company will leave China.

"So far, the MOC and Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce have received no reports that Google would withdraw investment from China, or withdraw from the Chinese market," Yao said in a press conference.

Google earlier this week said it would no longer censor its search engine results in China and that it was considering pulling out of the country.

Some commentators in China have said Google's decision has more to do with business; it holds about 30 percent of the market while Baidu, a Chinese rival, holds a majority share.