Chinese Internet search engine Baidu.com (BIDU) announced that Chief Financial Officer Shawn Wang died on December 27, 2007 in an accident in China.

"We are all completely shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic news," said Robin Li, Baidu's chairman and CEO, in a prepared statement. "Shawn's leadership and vision helped transform Baidu into a leading US public company, and his presence will be greatly missed. Shawn was not only a tremendous leader within our company, but also a wonderful friend to us all. We extend our deepest sympathy and most sincere condolences to Shawn's family."

The company says Wang's duties will be assumed on an interim basis by the senior management team, including the senior finance personnel, until a successor is appointed.

Wang joined Baidu as its chief financial officer in September 2004, helping lead the company through its successful initial public offering on NASDAQ in August 2005.