Microsoft MSN has launched a Chinese-version of its Live Map search to further promote its Live Search Internet strategy in China.

Based on Chinese users' demand and the market features of China, Microsoft's Map Search contains information on 114 Chinese cities, with a focus on bus transfer routes during the initial period. Tao Chuang, senior director of Microsoft's Virtual Earth team and person in charge of Microsoft's local search service, said that Microsoft's success in local search, including map search, relied on complete localization of the content, localized development and application as well as close cooperation with local business partners.

China Network Economy Research Center's report shows that the market value of China's map search will break CNY500 million in 2008 and it will reach CNY1.5 billion in 2010.