Largest online games website in China acquired by SOHU.com

World IT Report, Nov 17, 2003

SOHU.com, China's leading online media, communications, commerce and mobile value-added services company, has announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 17173.com, the largest online games website in China. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The deal will strengthen SOHU's position as a leading Internet property as well as enhance the Company's ability to market its consumer services.

Launched in 2000 as the first online game portal in China, 17173.com is part of the NetDragon WebSoft Inc, a China-based online game developer founded by Liu Dejian, a pioneer of the online gaming industry of China and Chairmanand CEO of NetDragon. With over 100 game zones and 4.3 million registered users, 17173.com is the largest online game information and community website in China, ranking the 15th most visited website in China on Alexa Research.

"We warmly welcome Cai Zongjian, who currently runs the 17173.com website, and the employees of 17173.com to the SOHU team. We will benefit from 17173.com's recognition as undisputed market leader among the games websites in China, their expertise in running the games website and building a game community, and their relationships with advertising clients in the online games industry. We expect long-term leverage in both the advertising and consumer business area from this acquisition and an overall boost to SOHU'sposition in the fast growing online games industry," said Charles Zhang, Chairman and CEO of SOHU.com.