The China launch of two new Android-based phones – a Samsung and a Motorola handset, which were scheduled to hit the stores on Wednesday via China Unicom - has been put off by Google in the wake of the ongoing discussions between the Internet search giant and the Chinese authorities.

The Google decision to postpone the launch of the two phones is a clear indication that business in China is beginning to get hit by the spat between Google and the Chinese authorities over hacking and censorship issues.

Google had, earlier this month, threatened to pull out of the Chinese market after China-originated hacking attempts on its systems. The search biggie has also stopped censoring its search results in the country.

However, despite Google’s decision to postpone the launch of two Android phones in China, Sony Ericsson does not expect Google-China row to cause any delay in the spring launch for its Xperia X10 Android-based smartphone in China.

Bert Nordberg, president of Sony Ericsson, said at a news conference in Tokyo: “If you look at the dispute, it’s between Google services and China, not Android and China.” Nordberg added: “We expect to launch (Xperia X10) simultaneously in the whole world including China.”

Nordberg added Xperia X10 will be launched all over the world, including China, in spring this year. However, the phone will be launched in Japan a little earlier, in April.