A Chinese Internet firm known for its popular instant messaging service has set up an online Web portal, a spokeswoman said on Friday, introducing another player to a dynamic market dominated by Nasdaq-listed companies.

Shenzhen-based Tencent Technology Ltd launched a test version of its entertainment Web site http://www.qq.com/ on Thursday evening, spokeswoman Lou Lili told Reuters by telephone.

"Our goal is to become a mainstream Internet portal that focuses on entertainment," she said. "Our customer base and our messaging service were already moving in that direction."

The firm's "QQ" instant messaging service is China's most popular, with 226 million registered users and 71 million active accounts. The service allows users to write to each other on computers, mobile phones and pagers.

Lou said the firm, founded in 1998 and now with about 600 employees, would seek an initial public offering next year. She declined to reveal any company financials.

The Web site -- which features flashing cartoons, banner advertisements and its penguin logo -- was divided into sections such as news, entertainment, fashion, sport, games, cars, jokes and chatrooms.

Analysts say the site resembles that of its Nasdaq-listed rivals Sohu.com Inc, Sina Corp and NetEase.com Inc, whose shares have all soared several hundred percent in the last year after they achieved profitability.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Business News
+Satellite set to rewrite Chinese space history ( 2003-11-20) +US gets warning on steel safeguards ( 2003-11-20) +British envoy among 27 killed in blasts ( 2003-11-21) +China postpones purchase team to US ( 2003-11-21) +Two-way meeting on 6-party talks ( 2003-11-20)		+China's Tencent takes on Nasdaq Internet portals ( 2003-11-21) +Survey : Chinese yuppies think global, buy local ( 2003-11-21) +China Unicom to buy 9 GSM networks for HK$3.2b ( 2003-11-21) +New Dongfeng plant planned to meet demand ( 2003-11-21) +Two leading iron, steel companies in W. China merge ( 2003-11-21)