Google plans to increase workforce in China by 30%

Google Inc, the world's largest search engine company, announced on Saturday that it planned to increase its employees in China by 30% in 2008 and gain more market share by increasing promotional spending, sources reported.

Lee Kai-fu, Google's global vice president and president in Greater China region told sources that the company plans to add 200 Chinese employees, and maintain the recruitment level in the coming three to five year.

Those new job openings will be mainly in technology, sales and marketing departments and 50% of the new employees will come from fresh graduates, according to Lee.

Google Inc, as one of the most popular employers in China, has cut its recruitment plans in the past two quarters globally, with 800 new employees, which is only half the number of the same period last year.

Google will increase its promotional spending, such as Google Maps and Gmail services. Mr Lee also revealed the company's plan to increase its revenue from online advertising by cooperating with more local websites.

Statistics from Analysys International showed that Google had a 22.5% market share in China in the third quarter of last year, following its big rival Baidu with a dominant 61.5% share.