Outgoing Google CEO Eric Schmidt wants to expand firm's business in China

BEIJING: Google's outgoing Chief Executive, Eric Schmidt, has said that he intends to expand his web firm's business in China.

Schmidt also hopes to find a Chinese partner for Google's Android mobile phone operating system.

''I have always been the person who believes the most in expanding into China," the BBC quoted Schmidt, as saying.

Although Schmidt said that he was happy with Google's decision to stop co-operating with China over censorship in March last year, he added: "Over time I would hope, especially in my new role with more of an external focus, that I can try to get more of Google, appropriately and within our policies, into China."

It was revealed earlier this month that fifty-five-year-old Schmidt would make way as chief executive for Larry Page, 37, who co-founded Google with Sergey Brin.

"Between the three of us, I have always been the person who believes the most in expanding into China," he claimed.

Schmidt will remain as "executive chairman", a role he said would be two-thirds external and one-third internal, with most of his time devoted to customers and partners.