Google Inc. on Tuesday started building its sales and business development operations in China with the hiring of Johnny Chou, former president of UT Starcom's Chinese operations.

Chou, who joins Google as president of sales and business development in Greater China, will be responsible for building the search engine's sales and channel businesses, and expanding its partnerships in the region.

Chou will work alongside Kai-Fu Lee, whom Google hired this year from Microsoft Corp. to create and lead its research and development center in China. Microsoft has sued Google and Lee, claiming the latter violated the non-compete clause in his contract by joining Google. The case is pending.

Chou was the head of UT Starcom's China operation for the last nine years, and has more than 20 years of business management experience, Google said. UT Starcom, based in Alameda, Calif., manufactures Internet-based networking and telecommunications products.

"The leadership and experience that Johnny Chou brings to Google will be an invaluable asset to Google's plans for developing its business operations in China," Omid Kordestani, senior vice president of Google's worldwide sales and field operations, said in a statement.