• Reuters, Friday, December 15, 2006 11 AM

Baidu.com has agreed to provide search listings for Microsoft's Chinese Web properties and is reportedly mulling several video deals with local online video providers in China.

It's strange to see Baidu partner with Microsoft after rival Google was one of the primary investors in the Chinese search giant. Google has since sold its stake in Baidu, citing its own Web search ambitions in China, but--as ever--a rivalry in one area doesn't prevent Google from trying to forge a mutually beneficial partnership in another.

Could Google and Baidu--China's top two search engines--become online video partners? According to Reuters, both Baidu and Google are said to be exploring options to expand their online video services in the Far East. They've both held independent discussions with local video Web sites for possible acquisitions or partnerships. Google may also decide to have its YouTube subsidiary translated into Chinese, in which case, a Google-Baidu partnership wouldn't be out of the question.

Baidu, the fourth-most-visited Web site in the world, according to CNET, will provide search listings on the Chinese versions of Microsoft's MSN and Live Search pages.

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