From Reuters:
Google Inc. has won preliminary approval from Beijing to provide Internet content in China, the firm said on Wednesday, potentially allowing it to offer news in the world’s second-largest Internet market.
The license, handed out by China’s Ministry of Information and Industry, may also help Google attract more advertising revenue, analysts said. “We have made very positive progress on the ICP (Internet content provider) application and have received preliminary approval,” spokeswoman Marsha Wang said in an e-mailed response to Reuters enquiries.
She declined to comment on what further procedures may be required for final approval to offer news in China, although analysts said the move helped to add legitimacy to its operations in the country. [Full Text]