Chinese Internet gaming firm Shanda (SNDA) today announced a deal with rival Kingsoft regarding JX Online World and JX Online II, two of Kingsoft's in-house developed games.

"We are pleased to work with Kingsoft, to take advantage of each company's respective strengths, specifically in online game operations and online game development," stated Chen Tianqiao, Shanda's chairman and CEO. "This marks an important milestone for Shanda as we open our outstanding resources to the online gaming market. We believe that the strategic cooperation between Shanda and Kingsoft represents a new opportunity within China's online interactive entertainment industry to enhance and strengthen the industry in its next stage of growth."

Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited's subsidiary, Shanda Games Limited, will operate JX Online World, which Kingsoft will also continue to operate. In addition, Shanda Online Holdings Limited, another arm of Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited, will open its unified platform to support the operation of JX Online II. The parties intend to expand further their strategic cooperation in additional areas.

According to the agreements, SDG, which develops, sources, operates and publishes online game content, will establish a dedicated team to operate JX Online World. In addition, SDO will introduce JX Online II to the SDO platform, through which Shanda's users access Shanda's interactive entertainment content. As a part of SDO's platform, JX Online II will enjoy SDO's broad user base and renowned unified services such as billing and payment services, customer services, call center services, and other similar services.