BEIJING - F.C. Internazionale Milano has signed an exclusive partnership with leading Chinese Internet portal Sina.com to develop, host and promote a Mandarin Chinese-language version of its official website inter.it, which was unveiled today in a press conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Beijing. Inter's Chinese website was officially launched by representatives of both parties - Mr Chen Tong, senior vice president and chief editor of Sina.com, and Mr Angelo Mario Moratti, president of Inter Brand. Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso took part in the event via videoconference from Milan.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sina will provide a range of Inter-related content to the global Chinese community, to include latest club news and photos, live scores and match reports, in-depth statistics and player profiles.
Sina is a leading online media company and value-added information service provider in China and global Chinese communities. With a branded network of localized websites targeting Greater China and overseas Chinese, it provides services through five major business lines, providing an array of services including region-focused online portals, mobile value-added services, search and directory, interest-based and community-building channels, free and premium email, online games, virtual ISP, classified listings, fee-based services, e-commerce, and enterprise e-solutions.
Inter has forged strong links with China in recent years with initiatives such as the Inter Campus project in Qingdao, the friendly match against China Super League club Shanghai International in Trento in 2004, and last season's Serie A matches against Livorno and Lazio with the Pirelli logo on Inter's shirts translated in Chinese characters. Earlier this month, Chinese U21 internationals Wang Dalei and Zhang Wenzhao spent ten days training with Roberto Mancini and the Nerazzurri as part of a project to help develop China's emerging talents ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Mandarin Chinese-language version of inter.it is the latest of a series of projects aimed at bringing the club closer to its supporters in China and Chinese-speaking communities worldwide.
"It is with great enthusiasm that Inter has engaged in a partnership with Sina," said Inter Brand president Angelo Mario Moratti. "We are absolutely sure that having our official website in Chinese will help bridge the geographical distance that separates the club from its many and faithful fans in China. We want to get to know better our fans and also the football in this big and important nation, and in the next two years we hope to visit China with our team for our centenary."
Sina president Charles Chao added: "Inter are hugely popular in China. It is our aim to increase Inter's fanbase in China and the Chinese communities all over the world."