The controversial search engine that Google LLC has been developing in China might soon become a reality, despite objections from inside the company and from some critics.

Speaking on Monday at the WIRED 25 Summit, Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai (pictured) seemed unfazed regarding criticism the company has faced for once pulling out of China amid concerns over censorship and then taking a volte-face and developing a censored search engine known as Project Dragonfly.

“It turns out we’ll be able to serve well over 99 percent of the queries,” said Pichai, adding that the search engine would access much more information than was currently available. He added, “We are compelled by our mission [to] provide information to everyone, and [China is] 20 percent of the world’s population.”

Still, this hasn’t sat easy with a number of Google employees who have said that they are uncomfortable with “large companies and governments collaborating in the oppression of their people.” In a letter signed by 1,400 Google employees, they said they were frustrated with the lack of transparency about the search engine.

After the backlash Pichai held a meeting with employees. “We are not close to launching a search product in China,” Pichai told them. “And whether we would do so or could so is all very unclear.” He also said he believes Google can have a positive impact around the world and China should be no different.

It certainly seems clearer now. At the Wired Summit, Pichai said though Google takes seriously matters relating to user privacy, the access to information and freedom of expression, the company must also “follow the rule of law in every country.”

As for Google’s turnaround regarding China, Pichai said it was time to reevaluate. “It’s a wonderful, innovative market,” he said. “We wanted to learn what it would look like if we were in China, so that’s what we built internally.”

He added that the company was compelled to take a “longer-term view” given the size of the Chinese market. In other words, Google can’t afford not to be in China.

In any case, it’s clear that the company is no longer noncommittal about its intentions, so Project Dragonfly is likely about to take flight.

Photo: Maurizio Pesce via Flickr