Internet giants busy in M&A market

According to Zero2IPO, China's leading online travel agency, US-listed Ctrip.com International Ltd, also made five mergers and acquisitions in related areas in the first half of 2014 to become the largest player in the online travel agent market.

Shenzhen-listed Ourpalm Co Ltd, an online game developer and operator, purchased four gaming and media companies for 3 billion yuan during the same period.

Meng Wei, a TMT analyst at Orient Securities Co Ltd, said that 2013 through the first half of 2014 was a golden period for Internet giants to acquire good assets.

"Many companies in the mobile Internet and media sectors have grown up, and Internet giants stepped up to acquire such good assets for strategic layouts and competing with other players during the period," said Meng,

"With the exception of online game companies, good assets have been fewer and merger and acquisition activities will be less frequent in the coming years," Meng said.