Google announces venture with Chinese online firm

By Associated Press
Friday, January 5, 2007 - Updated: 07:48 AM EST

BEIJING - Google Inc. and a Chinese partner on Friday announced a new Internet venture as the U.S.-based search engine tries to expand its share of China's growing online market.

Google said it would add its search technology to services offered by Xunlei Network Technology Inc., which provides video and game downloads.

Google is trying to expand its presence in China, where it ranks behind local search engine Baidu.com, which has more than 60 percent of the Chinese search market.

Google and Xunlei did not release financial details of their venture.

"We hope to expand our relationship into many new areas over the coming years," Xunlei president Zou Shenglong said in a statement.

Also this week, Google announced it was teaming up with China Mobile, the country's biggest cell phone carrier, to provide search services for mobile phones.