Google's Chairman Schmidt Visits China Again: First Visit to the Zhongguancun Market

Google Chairman Schmidt, who arrived from South Korea yesterday, made an appearance at 1:30 PM today at the electronic market in the west area of Beijing's Zhongguancun. This is also the first time a Google executive has visited the Zhongguancun market. Accompanying Schmidt were colleagues from Google, including Yang Wenluo, General Manager of Engineering Research at Google China, and Hugo Barra (Brother Hu), former Vice President of Google who recently joined Xiaomi.

Schmidt learned about the related situations of tablet computers, mobile phones, and other mobile terminal products in the Zhongguancun electronics market. He was particularly interested in some "knock-off" goods using the Android system, especially those imitating Apple interfaces. It is reported that Schmidt will later go to Tsinghua University for a face-to-face exchange with students.

Schmidt's entourage entered Dingsheng Electronics City from the southeast entrance. The unexpected appearance of Hugo Barra, former Vice President of Google and current Vice President of Xiaomi, caught everyone by surprise.

Behind Schmidt are the bodyguards who accompanied him on this trip.

On the first floor of Dingsheng, an accompanying staff member introduced a branded tablet computer product to Schmidt.

On the second floor of Dingsheng, Schmidt was attracted to another "knock-off" tablet computer. A companion explained to Schmidt that although the tablet looked and functioned like an iPad, it operated on the Android system. Someone added that such "high-quality and affordable" products have a good market in Southeast Asia.

The main interface of that product looks very much like Apple's.

Hugo Barra also showed interest in this tablet computer, taking it to study carefully.

This booth featured both tablet computers and e-readers, causing Schmidt to stop again. Behind Schmidt's bodyguard stands Yang Wenluo, General Manager of Engineering Research at Google China.

Hugo revealed that Schmidt did not have any plans to visit Xiaomi. However, during casual conversations while touring, Schmidt joked that Xiaomi is an excellent partner.

In the basement level of Dingsheng, Schmidt mainly focused on the situation of the mobile phone market.

Today, the number of people in the Zhongguancun market was not very high.

A Google colleague captured Schmidt's itinerary with their phone. One Google employee had originally planned to buy a high-quality replica of the Apple iPhone 5s in Zhongguancun but never encountered one.

As Schmidt passed by a stall, he happened to see the seller enjoying a late lunch.

Upon closer inspection, the phone Schmidt was holding seems to be the newly launched Nexus 5.

The moment Schmidt came up from the basement level of Dingsheng, he stuck out his tongue.

Standing on the road in Zhongguancun, the sky over Beijing appeared somewhat gray, signaling the end of Schmidt's visit.

These two Mercedes-Benz cars were arranged to take Schmidt to Tsinghua University for his speech. In the back seat, there were two cans of sugar-free cola in the central armrest, and an Apple laptop placed near the footrest.

After seeing Schmidt off, the Google colleagues embraced Hugo Barra goodbye.