Thursday, May 12, 2005
Microsoft to launch MSN China web portal
Agence France-Presse
Washington, May 12, 2005
US computer software giant Microsoft Corp said it has formed a joint venture with China's state-funded Shanghai Alliance Investment Ltd (SAIL) to launch the MSN China web portal later this spring.
The venture, Shanghai MSN Network Communications Technology Company Ltd, has received approval from the Chinese government to deliver products and services of MSN, Microsoft's online services division, throughout China, a joint statement said on Wednesday.
"The rapid growth in Internet adoption and mobile device usage in China, along with the exceptional energy and talent of its people, make this one of the most important new markets for MSN," said David Cole, MSN's senior vice president.
Microsoft also unveiled plans to acquire certain assets of TSSX, a prominent Chinese mobile software and services company, and enter into exclusive arrangements with the company to deliver MSN mobile products and services globally.
It marks the first Microsoft venture with a Chinese company in mobile Internet services.
MSN Messenger instant messaging service and the MSN Hotmail e-mail service in Chinese is popular in China.
© HT Media Ltd. 2005.