Google agrees to provide technology for China.com

Internet search giant Google will power China.com's online search engine under the terms of a recently announced partnership, an AFP report said.

The report said the partnership was Google's most comprehensive business alliance since entering the China market.

Google would support China.com searches for online content in English and traditional Chinese, according to a release quoted by the report.

"China is a key area of focus for Google and we are rapidly expanding our presence and operations in this important market," Johnny Chou, Google president of sales and business development in Greater China, was quoted as saying.

China.com said it was one of China's first Internet portals and had launched a group of Web sites designed to help global businesses access increasingly affluent consumers in China, according to the AFP report.

China.com and Google would cooperate regarding branding, content and advertising, according to the companies, the report added.