Microsoft Seeks Partner to Strengthen Search in China, WSJ Says

Microsoft Corp. is looking to partner a Chinese company as it aims to be the biggest player in the country’s search-engine market, the Wall Street Journal said, citing Simon Leung, the company’s chief executive for the region.

The software maker may target NetEase.com Inc. or Tencent Holdings Inc., which lag behind China’s search leader Baidu Inc., the newspaper reported on its website. Leung declined to specify the timing and name potential partners, according to the report.

Microsoft will also invest $100 million in Chinese companies, after spending $40 million since 2006, Leung said, according to the report. The company will target software, cloud-computing and gaming companies, the newspaper said.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft will also seek government approval for China sales of its Xbox video-game console, which is “essentially” banned in the country, the report said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Pavel Alpeyev in Tokyo at palpeyev@bloomberg.net.

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