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To: blankmind who wrote (38319)	3/7/1998 8:02:00 PM
From: B.K. Ohneis	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 61433

Microsoft , China Telecom build browser BEIJING, March 6 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp (MSFT - news) said on Friday it would help China's main telecommunications carrier develop its internet capabilities as part of a long-term co-operative project. Microsoft China Co Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the U.S. computer giant, signed a deal on Thursday with China Telecom to develop a special version of its Internet Explorer, a company statement said. Internet Explorer is Microsoft's ''browser'' programme used to navigate the global computer network. The deal would help spread Internet Explorer among Chinese users, said Clifford Lee, director of Microsoft China's Internet Customer Unit. ''China Telecom has its network and access, we put our core strengths together and create some good content and good services for the Chinese market,'' Lee said by telephone. China Telecom, part of the soon-to-be-defunct Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), is the parent of China Telecom (Hong Kong) Ltd (NYSE:CHL - news; 0941.HK), which recently listed on the Hong Kong stock market. The agreement also included the transfer of software platforms, other Internet technology and training in online skills, Lee said. Microsoft declined to say how much the deal was worth. ''We have not even started talking about monetary values,'' Lee said. Microsoft did not say if a government restructuring plan that will axe the telecoms ministry and subsume it under a new ''super-ministry'' would affect the deal. Analysts said it was not clear how the restructuring plan, detailed on Friday at an annual meeting of parliament, would affect the operations of ministry-run companies. The statement said the agreement was the result of an exchange of visits between Microsoft chairman Bill Gates and MPT minister Wu Jichuan. The company's billionaire founder last visited China in December. ($1 equals 8.3 yuan)