Microsoft will launch Xbox One in China in September

Update: Microsoft has now confirmed that the Xbox One will indeed launch in China in September. In a blog post on Xbox Wire, the company's Yusuf Mehdi described the move as "a monumental day for Xbox." "Launching Xbox One in China is a significant milestone for us and for the industry," he wrote. "Enwei Xie [General Manager for Microsoft in the Greater China Region] will lead Xbox China as general manager, bringing years of Microsoft experience both in China and abroad." Original story: Today, Re/code broke the news that Microsoft plans to launch the Xbox One in China this September. According to its report, the company will be partnering with Shanghai-based BesTV to launch the console -- as expected. In the above video, Yusuf Medhi, Microsoft's chief marketing and strategy officer for Xbox, says, "For the first time ever, Xbox One is coming to China with a full games and entertainment system." Things don't get plainer than that. Medhi continues, outlining plans to release both Western and original, Chinese market-focused titles for the platform: "Here at Microsoft we have been on a mission to build the very best gaming and entertainment experiences for gamers everywhere, and in China there are over half a billion gamers, so the opportunity to create global and locally created content to delight millions and millions of gaming families everywhere is something that we’re really passionate about." BesTV is a subsidiary of the Shanghai Media Group, and SMG senior VP Zhang Dazhong appears in the video, too. "Why did we choose Microsoft as our business partner? Because Microsoft has created the most amazing family friendly entertainment product in the world. Xbox One," Zhang said. "We believe that this product will achieve great success in China and our long-term partnership with Microsoft, in my view, is an absolute must. Let’s go Xbox! China’s door is open for you." "Xbox One is going to offer an amazing array of experiences for gamers in China. Everything from games to entertainment experiences, fitness and education opportunities," Medhi said. This news comes after the Chinese government recently released the standards that would allow game consoles -- banned since 2000 -- to go on sale in the country. This was a necessary step in allowing companies, both foreign and domestic, to enter the Chinese market. Microsoft first formed a partnership with BesTV in September of last year. The Xbox One is confirmed to launch in Japan in September, which may mean a pan-Asian release for the console is now in the cards for that month.