Sources close to China Unicom (NYSE: CHU; 0762.HK; 600050.SH) have revealed that the company has been planning a social networking site (SNS) since the start of the year. The website, www.u-powerbook.com, is mainly directed towards mobile phone users in the youth demographic. The site is similar to the SNS Facebook, and integrates e-mail, mobile phone instant messaging tools, real-name communities, point-based shopping and other services. It is currently in open beta testing and the website for China Unicom's "U-Power" brand also provides links recommending the SNS to its users.

He Siyuan, CEO of Beijing Caizhi Futong Science and Technology Development, the company responsible for the project's operation and development, explained that the website has already undergone three to four months of trials in the northeastern province of Liaoning. During this time it has accumulated more than 200,000 China Unicom subscribers. Moving forward, trials will be expanded into Jiangxi province in south-east China and other areas.

Source:The Beijing News