With Microsoft having made headlines for partnering with BesTV to start selling the Xbox One in China this September, it seems logical that Sony would plan to do the same. It was recently announced that Sony has established a joint venture under Sony China Co., with the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group.

“The two companies formed will be Shanghai Oriental Pearl Solatube Culture Development Co., Ltd., the capital of which will be formed by a 51 percent investment from Shanghai Oriental Pearl (RMB 5.1 million) and a 49 percent investment from Sony China (RMB 4.9 million),” read a statement released by the company. “Sony will invest 70 percent  of the capital of the second company (RMB 3,066 million), which will be named Sony Computer Entertainment ( Shanghai ) Co., Ltd., while Shanghai Oriental Pearl will pinch in the remaining 30 percent  (RMB 1,314 million).”

This news essentially means Sony will likely be able to start selling PS4 units in the Shanghai free trade zone. Unfortunately, no time frame has been given as to when that will happen, however it seems likely that since Microsoft will begin selling their Xbox One in September, Sony will aim for a similar time with the PS4.

It is important to note that Sony has not yet officially announced this news, and as such it could all be an elaborate hoax. Also, because of the long-running feuds between China and Japan, it will be interesting to see how Sony, a Japanese company, manages to succeed with the PS4 in China. Chinese gamers will either adopt it as their own, or reject it, like many Japanese gamers have done with the Xbox over in Japan.

Details about the release date of the PS4 in China should be released soon, provided the news is actually true. As to whether the gaming platform will be well-received by Chinese gamers, only time will tell.