HONG KONG - (Business Wire) Globe7 HK Limited, a diversified Web 2.0 development company, and Tencent Holdings Limited, owners of China’s largest Internet portal, have announced a strategic partnership for building and marketing a student-oriented social networking platform for China.

Called Longhaier, the site will offer online forum, campus information and games, and other interactive Web applications, and also will provide extensive information on study abroad, job placement and scholarship opportunities, the companies said.

“We are delighted to work with a company of Tencent’s stature, and we believe this site can be both a highly popular and useful to young people simultaneously,” said Clayton Haswell, president and CEO of Globe7.

Longhaier will offer opportunities for teenagers and students to share their lives and communicate with each other. The site will help students prepare for academic testing, find jobs, and will also provide online communities, gaming and entertainment.

“We are pleased that Globe7 has chosen QQ to market Longhaier,” said Mr. Martin Lau, president of Tencent Inc. He said Longhaier will contribute to the popularity of other QQ products, such as QQ Instant Messenger, QQ Mail and QQ Games. “This will be a great opportunity to showcase our promotional strengths and showcase our approach to building a friendly Internet community.”

Tencent has successfully created a large Internet community with QQ.com, which has wide popularity, particularly among young Internet users. QQ is a leader in expanding ways of using the Internet.

Globe7’s parent company, India-based Northgate Technologies, created BharatStudent, one of India’s largest and fastest growing social networking sites, with an emphasis on students and education.

About Tencent, Inc

Founded in November 1998, Tencent, Inc. has grown into China's largest and most used Internet service portal. Its famous Internet platforms QQ, QQ.com, QQ Games, and PaiPai.com have brought together China's largest Internet community. Tencent Holdings Limited (SEHK 700) was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

About Globe7 HK Limited

Globe7 HK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northgate Technologies Ltd. (Bloomberg Symbol "NNORT.IN"). Publicly traded in India, Northgate has operations in the USA, UK, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Globe7 provides a wide range of internet services, hosting solutions and online gaming services.