Top > Webmaster > 2006 > June > 2006-06-29

Chinese Internet Search Leader to Launch New Service

Baidu, China`s internet search leader is planning to launch a new web service that will offer web logs just like the ones from Microsoft and Google. "There`s a product named Baidu Space," Cynthia He, a representative for Baidu, said on Wednesday. "I can`t describe the product or give a date (for the launch), except that it will be very soon and we are very excited. But we`d like to keep a little mystery for now."

Baidu hopes to become the largest blogs community in China. Internet interest has grown significantly in recent years and many Chinese are involved in online communities and other interactive online activities. Chinese media reported the service would offer Web logs, often known as "blogs," making Baidu the latest player to jump on the domestic blogging bandwagon.

The Chinese company must face online giants such as Google and Microsoft, which currently offer blogging services in China, in a crowded sector also populated by a bevy of homegrown players with names such as Bokee, Blogbus and BlogCN. China is the second largest internet market by users in the world. There are more than 100 million internet users in China.