Baidu, China's leading Internet search engine, today released a beta version of its independent video subsidiary Qiyi.com, which is currently open to invited users only.

According to Qiyi, its beta operation is divided into two phases. The invited users will test its technology and products in the first phase and give their feedbacks on pages, video quality and display fluency. In the second stage, Qiyi will let the public get involved in order to finish the comprehensive test before its official launching.

Qiyi.com, as an online video platform, will mainly provide its users free and HD movies and TV series, said the company's CEO Gong Yu. Qiyi also has a plan to go public in the future.

It is notable that both Qiyi's domain name and core concept are similar to Hulu.com, a well-known US video site. Although Hulu started later than Youtube, the most-visited video Web site, it was the world's first mainstream video Web site to make profits in the first year of operation, and its continuing rapid growth testifies its business mode success.

" Qiyi's mission is to provide free high-quality video services for Internet users, and offer the high-quality, cost-effective Internet marketing platform for advertisers. The beta period is set to achieve its mission so as to enhance the user experience as its first principle of development," Gong said.

The beta period is expected to end within one month, said representatives from QIyi.com.
                                                                                    Source: People's Daily Online