Microsoft strikes key deal in free-trade zone

Microsoft has confirmed a gaming joint venture with BesTV in the much-hyped Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone.The joint venture aims to bring an entertainment and gaming offerings to China, but further details about future product offerings in China were now provided.BesTV deal is a joint venture with E-Home Entertainment Development, a subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group."Microsoft is honored to be invited to participate in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone expansion efforts," Ralph Haupter, CEO of Microsoft Greater China Region, said."Our partnership with BesTV combines our strengths in entertainment and technology to foster a new development ecosystem within China."Our goal is to deliver a new generation of innovative family entertainment experiences for people in China and around the world, as well as contributing to the local economy in Shanghai. We look forward to sharing more about this exciting partnership in the future, and have nothing more to share at this time."The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone is a 29-square-kilometre district that covers four existing special trade zones in Pudong district, including one at the airport.It is expected to allow banks and other businesses within its boundaries to experiment in areas that are tightly controlled in China, including the lifting of restrictions on the production and sale of video game consoles.