High-level executives from Google have been sending signals about a return to the Chinese mainland market lately. Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of the search giant's parent company Alphabet said Monday that Google is planning to expand its presence in China during a speech at the TechCrunch conference in Beijing, the BBC reported. His remarks echoed Sergey Brin, one of Google's co-founders, who suggested last week that some services would return.

As an Internet giant, how Google intends to be associated with the Chinese market is the focus of wide attention. In 2010, Google's decision to withdraw from the Chinese mainland market, seen as a politically provocative move by the China side, was a turning point for the company's operation in China.

During the following five years, Chinese society has continued to be open to the outside world. It is also the case with the cyber world. Quite a few locally grown world-class Internet companies are running successful businesses. The country has fostered a 688 million online population, the world's largest. Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba claimed the title for the world's largest IPO in September 2014.

Meanwhile, a number of American companies have struck gold in the Chinese mainland market. Apple is a good example, with the mainland accounting for its largest market.

Cyber censorship exists in many parts of the world. The Chinese government is committed to opening up Chinese society to the world. In the meantime, it needs to make sure the process won't jeopardize social stability.

To some extent, Google carries American values with its global expansion. In more than one case, it has tried to force its way through the local market with an abrasive business style.

Earlier this year, the Competition Commission of India accused Google of violating antitrust laws and abusing search dominance. The EU has also accused it of illegal, monopolistic practices by distorting Internet search results.

Admittedly, Google still has strong technological advantages. And it will be good news to Chinese netizens if the company can return to the mainland market upon accepting local regulating norms. With the absence of the mainland market, no company can be considered a truly global company.