Google, Trailing Baidu in China, to Offer Translation Service

Google Inc. plans to offer an online dictionary that translates Chinese into other languages to help the company challenge Baidu.com Inc. in the world's biggest Web market.

The Web application was developed with Beijing-based software company Kingsoft Corp., said Marsha Wang, a spokeswoman for Google.

The service builds on the Mountain View, Calif.-based company's efforts to catch up to Baidu, which has more than double Google's market share in China's search market. Since 2006, Google has added searches for mobile phones and bought stakes in local Web sites such as social-networking company Tianya Internet Technology Ltd.

Baidu had 61% of the Chinese search market in the first quarter, ahead of Google's 27%, according to researcher Analysys International.

China passed the U.S. this year to become the world's biggest Internet market by users.