Foreign companies forbidden to offer online mapping services in China except through joint ventures: state bureau

Foreign companies forbidden to offer online mapping services inChina except through joint ventures: state bureau

BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The only permissible way for overseasorganizations and individuals to provide Internet mapping servicesin China is to set up joint ventures, according to a notice issuedby the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping on Wednesday.

The notice cited a regulation on overseas organizations andindividuals that offer online mapping services. This regulation hasbeen in effect since April 27, 2011.

The regulation also states that, for joint ventures with Internetmapping as their sole business, investment by foreign investorsshall be limited to no more than 50 percent of the total investment.