Baidu to Enter Japanese Search Market in 2007
Tuesday, 05 December 2006
Baidu.com, Inc. , a Chinese language Internet search provider, announced its intention to enter the Japanese search market in 2007.
''Since our successful listing on Nasdaq in 2005, we have been committed to delivering the best user search experience in Chinese language search and creating exceptional value for our shareholders,'' said Robin Li, Baidu's Chairman and CEO. ''We believe that our proven strength in non-English language search, the high internet penetration in Japan, as well as similarities between the Chinese and Japanese languages make this market an ideal next step for Baidu.''
Li noted that Baidu has conducted more than six months of extensive research into the development of Japanese language search technology.
''We are confident that Japan's search engine users will appreciate Baidu's powerful Japanese language search technology that will offer a user- friendly alternative to existing search engines,'' added Li.
According to independent surveys, Baidu currently commands more than 60 percent of the Internet search market in China and is the fourth most trafficked Web site in the world.