Microsoft ties with China’s Baidu search engine

BaiduAccording to a report, Microsoft has entered into an agreement with China’s popular search engine, Baidu for an English-language search service.

Microsoft aims to expand the presence for its Bing search engine in China while Baidu, which is the leading search engine in China, looks to expand outside its home country. The agreement comes after US search giant, Google moved its operation from China following a spat over censorship and a hacking attack with the Chinese authorities.

Under the agreement, any English language query typed into Baidu's search box will automatically activate Microsoft's Bing search engine. Microsoft sees a great potential in the Chinese market where Google’s presence is shrinking and Baidu officials have been publicly stating their aim to reach international markets.

Baidu said Microsoft aim to reach about 450 million internet users with the service. The two companies did nto announce the financial details of the deal.