Google (GOOG) has hired Johnny Chou to establish and lead Google's sales and business development operations in Greater China.

Johnny Chou will join Google as President, Sales and Business Development, Greater China. In this newly created role, Chou will be responsible for building Google's sales and channel businesses, and expanding the company's strategic partnerships in the region.

Chou comes to Google from UTStarcom (UTSI), where he was President of the company's China Operations for the past 9 years, and brings over 20 years of diverse business management experience to Google.

Chou will lead Google's sales and business development activities while recently-hired Dr. Kai-Fu Lee will spearhead Google's public affairs and the creation of the company's research and development center.

Google is still battling Microsoft (MSFT) in a US court over the hiring of Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, a former Microsft executive.