Google CEO: Development in China dispute ’soon’

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Google’s CEO says the Internet search company is in active negotiations with the Chinese government and expects some sort of resolution in its dispute with Beijing soon. Eric Schmidt declined to give details or a timetable for the discussions, but says “something will happen soon.” He says the talks are with the Chinese government and do not involve U.S. officials. A Chinese official said Saturday China has had no direct contact with Google over the company’s threat in January to shut down its China-based search service. Schmidt was speaking at a media summit in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below. ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Google’s CEO says mobile smartphones are transforming the Internet, and defended his company’s growing dominance over information on the Web. Eric Schmidt told an Arab media conference Wednesday he has been “struck by the explosion of mobile computing” and says the devices are “clearly going to win” the battle with traditional computers. He also defended his company’s growing influence against complaints it is becoming too powerful, saying that Google’s “competitors have an incentive for us not to be successful.” Schmidt is speaking at a media summit in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. The Arab world is one of the fastest growing Internet markets in the world.