Google revealed on Monday that it had acquired a stake in Chinese community Web site Tianya.cn, indicating a foray by the global search leader into social networking in the world's second-largest Internet market.
A Google spokeswoman confirmed the stake holding by email, but declined to give further details.
Various local media reports on Monday put the estimated size of Google's stake at anywhere from less than 10 percent to up to 60 percent. Other media reports have said Google may be eyeing acquisitions in China.
Google is rushing to close the gap with rival Baidu.com Inc, which dominated the search market in China in the second quarter with a 58.1 percent share, according to research firm Analysys International.
Google followed with a 22.8 percent share and Yahoo China with 11.6 percent, Analysys said.
China is the world's second-largest Internet market after the United States, with around 162 million Web users.
Venture capital investment in Chinese social networking sites has bloomed since Google bought top online video-sharing site YouTube for $1.65 billion late last year.
In another move to diversify its platform in China, Google - which recently established an engineering research centre in Shanghai -- has also won preliminary approval from Beijing for a licence to provide Internet content in the country.
Baidu recently won approval to do its own reporting rather than simply show news search results, while Google is promoting a Chinese-language map search service and online word processing programmes. Both are trying to build online library services.
Google Buys Stake in Chinese Social WebSite
By: Reuters
| Aug 20,2007
| Ads by Google | ||
Why don't you post one?
LATEST NEWS
- Intel Announces Dual-Core Atom
- GDC 2008: 160GB PS3 Bundle Coming Soon
- GDC 2008: PSP-3000 Announced
- GDC 2008: Redesigned Green 360 Controller on its Way
- Palm Treo Pro Officially Launched
- Microsoft Site Makes Digital Photos Into Panoramas
- GDC 2008: PS3 to get Wireless Key/Touchpad
- China Limits Use of Olympians' Names Online
- Idea Mobile Services Launched in Mumbai
- Microsoft Revamps SideWinder Gaming Range
| Ads by Google | ||
RELATED
Hot Searches & Keywords :
AMD
ATI
Acer
Adobe
Apple
Asus
Blackberry
Blizzard
Blu-Ray
Bluetooth
CES 2007
Canon
Capcom
China
Creative
DVD
Dell
E3 2007
E3 2008
EA
Electronic Arts
Facebook
Gears of War
Google
HP
Halo
IBM
ITunes
Intel
Internet
Ipod
LCD
LG
Linux
Logitech
Microsoft
Mobile
Mobile Phone
Mobile Phones
Motorola
Mp3
Myspace
Nintendo
Nokia
Nvidia
PC
PMP
PS2
PS3
PSP
Philips
Reliance Communications
Samsung
Sandisk
Search Engine
Skype
Smartphone
Sony
Sony Ericsson
Toshiba
Ubisoft
Valve
Vista
Voip
Website
Wii
Windows
Windows Mobile
Windows Vista
Xbox 360
Xbox Live
Xbox360
Yahoo!
Youtube
Zune
digicam
digital camera
iPhone
laptop
mp3 player
printer
social networking site
test
yahoo
| Ads by Google | ||
|
|
Sections
Products
Camcorders |
Controllers |
CPUs |
Desktop PCs |
Digital Cameras |
Digital Video Recorders |
DVD Players |
Games |
Gaming Consoles |
General |
GPS Systems |
Handhelds / PDAs |
Hard Drives |
Headphones & Headsets |
HiFi Audio Systems |
Home Theater Systems |
Input Devices |
Internet |
Laptops |
Low Level Components |
Mac Systems |
Mobile Phone Accessories |
Mobile Phones |
Monitors |
Motherboards |
MP3 / Audio Players |
Multi-Function Devices |
Networking |
Optical Drives |
PC Accessories |
PC Add-on Cards |
PC Cabinets |
PC Games |
Printers |
Projectors |
RAM Modules |
Scanners |
Software |
Speakers |
Telecom |
TVs |
Video Players |