Google's decision to pick Beijing for its eighth research and development centre marks a major transformation from the virtual to real world for billions, reports UPI.

The world's premier search engine had good reasons for choosing the Chinese capital. Beijing is home to much of the country's top IT talent while tech and telecom entrepreneurs abound there.

Moreover, eight is an auspicious number in Chinese culture -- it is associated with wealth.

The Google centre is its third such facility in Asia -- after Bangalore and Tokyo. Its European facilities are in Zurich, New York, Kirkland (Washington), Santa Monica (California) plus one at headquarters in Mountain View.

Google's operating licences have not been finalised with Chinese regulatory authorities but a company statement said permission was expected some time during the third quarter.

Things have not always been easy for the company in China. The government has blocked Google's website on several occasions since the introduction of its Chinese language features, mainly due to fear of the information empowerment the company offers to individuals doing keyword searches.

The Chinese government's intolerance towards digital freedom of thought and expression is getting more sophisticated, however.

Depending on the website, it is now permissible for citizens to browse -- although blogging is still banned.

The change in officialdom's attitude has to do with boosting business and national technical expertise, and Google offers plenty of potential for both.

Duncan Clark, one of the managing directors at BDA China, a technology consultancy, told UPI that "with mobile users being over three times the number of Internet users in China, a focus on mobile solutions will be a key priority for Google".

In mid-2005, China reported more than 350 million mobile phone users and 100 million Internet users.

He added: "Google has been 'virtually' here for years -- Chinese Internet users have embraced it along with the rest of the world."