Google, rebuilding its presence in China, invests in retailer JD.com
BEIJING — Google’s best-known products have been blocked by authorities in mainland China for years. If it wants that to change someday, then half a billion dollars’ worth of goodwill couldn’t hurt.
Google will invest $550 million in the Chinese online retailer JD.com, the two companies said Monday. In return, JD.com will join the Google Shopping advertising service, and will work with the Mountain View company on other e-commerce projects in Europe, Southeast Asia and the United States.
The companies did not provide details of the projects. According to a JD.com spokesman, the deal will give Google less than 1 percent of the Chinese retailer’s shares, which trade on the Nasdaq.