Jan. 17, 2007 (China Knowledge) – Microsoft is expected to launch the Xbox 360 console in China within the next few months, a move going beyond the traditional focus of selling PC software in the country.

Since late last year, the software giant has been discussing the launch with local Internet service providers and personal computer makers. Several sales agents in the Mainland have reportedly been appointed.

The Xbox 360, Sony's new PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii are rivals in the US$30 billion global video game market. Xbox's main competitor in the Mainland for now is likely to be the popular PS2, which Sony launched three years ago in China, a fast growing gaming market with 120 million Chinese out of a population of 1.3 billion being Internet users.