Jan. 17, 2007 (China Knowledge) – Baidu.com and EMI music have partnered in a new Internet joint venture where users can listen to streaming music for free.

This advertising-supported service hosted on Baidu’s site will feature Chinese pop music artistes from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and others. EMI and Baidu will also look into another advertising-supported service for downloading music, the companies said.

Financial terms for this joint venture were not disclosed.

Baidu.com, which occupies more than 60% of China's online search market, has been expanding entertainment offerings in an effort to stay competitive in an industry where other Chinese Web sites combine search services with entertainment and games. In October, the Internet company launched a venture with Viacom's MTV Networks to distribute music videos and other online programming.