BEIJING: Alphabet’s Google has agreed to a patent licensing deal with Tencent Holdings as it looks for ways to expand in China where many of its products, such as app store, search engine and email service, are blocked by regulators.
The US technology company has signed similar agreements before with Samsung, LG and Cisco Systems, but the deal with Tencent is a first with a large Chinese tech firm.
Google has previously said that agreements such as these reduce the potential of litigation over patent infringement.
The agreement with the Chinese social media and gaming firm Tencent covers a broad range of products and paves the way for collaboration on technology in the future, Google said on Friday, without disclosing any financial terms of the deal.
Tencent oversees China’s top social media and payments app, WeChat, which has close to a billion users. It also oversees one of the country’s most popular app stores and hosts the country’s biggest gaming and livestream platforms.
Google did not disclose the scope of the new patent deal and Tencent did not immediately respond to questions about which products the patent agreement will cover.
“By working together on agreements such as this, tech companies can focus on building better products and services for their users,” said Mike Lee, Google’s head of patents.
Over the past year, Google has indicated that it was looking to increase it presence in the restrictive Chinese market, with the launch of a local AI research lab, introduction of a version of its translation app and expansion into new cities.
The company announced this month that it had invested in Chinese livestream gaming app Chushou, which is similar to Google’s own YouTube game livestreaming services.
In December, Google CEO Sundar Pichai spoke at a conference in China hosted by the Cyberspace Administration of China, which oversees censorship in the country.
Google signs patent deal with WeChat developer Tencent amid China push
Google signs patent deal with WeChat developer Tencent amid China push
SAL agrees $30m Aviapartner Liege acquisition to expand into Europe
RIYADH: SAL Saudi Logistics Services Co. has agreed to acquire Belgium-based Aviapartner Liege SA for €28 million ($30.3 million), giving the Saudi logistics firm a foothold at one of Europe’s major air cargo hubs.
Under a sale and purchase agreement signed with Aviapartner Belgium NV and Aviapartner Holding NV, SAL will acquire 100 percent of the company’s share capital on a cash-free, debt-free basis, according to a filing on Saudi Exchange.
The acquisition gives SAL a full operational presence at Liege Airport in Belgium, a key European cargo hub, and is expected to support the company’s long-term growth strategy.
SAL, which provides cargo handling and logistics services across Saudi airports, has been expanding its service portfolio as the Kingdom invests heavily in aviation and supply-chain infrastructure under Vision 2030.
In the Tadawul filing, the company stated: “This acquisition supports SAL’s international expansion strategy by establishing an operational footprint at a key European cargo hub, expanding its cargo ground handling and logistics service offerings at international airports, geographically diversifying its revenue streams, and leveraging operational synergies through access to established infrastructure, airline relationships, and a mature operating environment.”
The deal is strategically significant because Liege Airport has emerged as one of Europe’s most important air cargo hubs and a rapidly expanding gateway for global freight flows.
The Belgian airport is the fifth-largest cargo airport in Europe and has recorded strong growth in recent years, handling more than 1.3 million tonnes of cargo in 2025 as volumes rose about 14 percent year on year.
The transaction will be financed through the company’s available cash resources and remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Aviapartner Liege, based in Liege, Belgium, primarily provides ground handling and cargo services.
Financial disclosures show Aviapartner Liege generated revenues of €24.7 million in 2023, rising to €28.6 million in 2024 before declining to €24.3 million in 2025.
SAL said it expects the transaction to have a positive long-term impact on its financial performance following completion and consolidation of the acquired company’s financial results.
The company added that no related parties were involved in the transaction, which was signed on March 4.
