May 13, 2014 05:15 PM EDT
Facebook to Open a Sales Office in China?

Facebook said this week it is considering opening a sales office in China in order to work with local advertisers, according to Bloomberg News, citing people "familiar with the matter."

The largest social networking company in the world is discussing to lease space in the Fortune Financial Center in Beijing's central business district, according to the site.

Facebook has not commented publicly regarding the office yet.

If the rumor is true, it wouldn't be crazy to think Facebook could open an office in China sometime before the end of 2014.

The office would allow Facebook to have employees inside mainland China, where its services are currently blocked, for the first time ever.

Facebook's networking service has been blocked by the Chinese government since 2009, meaning over 1.35 billion citizens haven't been able to access the social media site for about five years.

"Today, our sales team in Hong Kong is supporting these Chinese businesses, but because of the rapid growth these businesses are achieving by using Facebook, we are of course exploring ways that we can provide even more support locally and may consider having a sales office in China in the future," Facebook Vice President Vaughan Smith said in an e-mailed statement, according to Bloomberg.

Smith has yet to discuss the timing or location of a China office.

Facebook already has a sales office in Hong Kong with a staff of 30 to 40 people who deal with advertisers "locally and in mainland China," according to Reuters.

Check back once the company has officially decided to pursue a sales office in China and where it will be located exactly.

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