BEIJING, April 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) signed a Joint Letter of Intent for strategic cooperation with the Embassy of Switzerland in China. Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss Confederation, and Robin Li, Chairman and CEO of Baidu, attended the signing ceremony in Beijing. The “Switzerland” Mini Program, the first of its kind, officially launched on the Baidu App. In addition, Baidu and the Embassy of Switzerland in China will collaborate on Baidu platforms including Baidu Encyclopedia and Baidu Data Insight.
“Switzerland is known globally for innovation and creativity. The Switzerland Mini Program is the result of innovative collaboration between Baidu and Switzerland, and will serve as a new starting point for Chinese people to learn more about the country,” said Robin Li, Chairman and CEO of Baidu. “In the future, I believe artificial intelligence will enable even more creative applications and allow users to enjoy premium experiences brought by technology.”
“China and Switzerland both have an innovative community. For innovation, we need the experience from around the world, and China is an important place for us for this exchange of innovation. We are ready in every part for collaboration and exchange which is key for the future and for our growth,” said Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss Confederation.
The Switzerland Mini Program on Baidu App will serve as a repository of official introduction to the country and local insights about tourist attractions, and provide visa information and other travel related services. More functions and services are expected to be added later. Meanwhile, on Baidu Encyclopedia and Baidu Data Insight, Baidu will present a multi-dimensional profile on culture, economy, education, tourism and various aspects of Switzerland via different formats of content such as texts, images, videos and infographics.
A product of strategic importance, Baidu Smart Mini Program allows mobile apps in the form of a mini program to directly provide users with a seamless native-app experience through the Baidu App and other major apps in its network, bypassing the additional step of an app download. It leverages the company’s competitive strengths in AI, Big Data, mobile Internet, and is integrated with a vast ecosystem of the company’s products to improve user experience.
Launched in July of 2018, Baidu Smart Mini Program continues to gain traction among users. In the fourth quarter of 2018, monthly active users (“MAUs”) of Baidu Smart Mini Program reached 147 million. Leading Chinese companies including Ctrip, JD.com, Xiaohongshu as well as multiple government agencies have opened up their own Smart Mini Programs on Baidu App. The cooperation with the Embassy of Switzerland in China further validates the versatility and reach of the program.
The launch of the Switzerland Mini Program satisfies the end market demand for a better user experience. Going forward, Baidu will continue to work with partners to provide smart, convenient and enriching features which will facilitate access to information, products and services.
About Baidu
Baidu, Inc. is the leading Chinese language Internet search provider. Baidu aims to make a complicated world simpler for users and enterprises through technology. Baidu’s ADSs trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BIDU.” Currently, ten ADSs represent one Class A ordinary share.
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