Baidu.com Inc announced yesterday the start of a public test of instant message tool called Baidu HI. The first batch of users are industry officials and the media, who are allowed to invite friends to take part in the test without limit.

It was the latest move for the country's No. 1 Internet search firm to expand business and it also plans to launch auction Website and phone-based search services this year, Robin Li, Baidu's founder and chairman, said in a previous interview.

(Shanghai Daily March 27, 2008)