It's no secret that Google and China aren't the best of friends. Google Maps has run into trouble with the Communist regime over licensing issues. The Chinese government has threatened Google with prosecution if it doesn't acquire and comply with requisite licensing to map the territories of the People's Republic of China through the Google Maps service.

The search major has until July next year to procure the license. This new development is attributed to new regulations laid down by China's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, which require all online entities providing mapping services to seek approval of the bureau. The bureau stated that companies that do not comply with the policy will be listed in public by the end of March next year. Ones that continue to flout the rules post July 1, 2011 will have to face legal action. Google hasn't acquired such licensing till now.

China claims that the new mapping regulations intend to secure national interests by addressing security leaks and to uphold the 'accuracy' of the mapping data Chinese borders. This move isn't surprising since China has a history of border disputes with its neighbor, which includes its differences with India over the ownership of Arunachal Pradesh.

The regulations set forth by the bureau also require mapping companies to store their data on local servers based in Chinese territory, which makes them more amenable to Chinese censorship and control. It'll be interesting to see how the situation unfolds. Google will have to make a tough choice between yielding to Chinese pressure or resisting control and opening itself to prosecution in China.