Xbox One to be sold in Chinese mainland from September

Microsoft Corp will begin selling its popular video game console Xbox One in the Chinese mainland from September in partnership with Chinese Internet television company BesTV New Media Co., BesTV said on Wednesday.

The all-in-one games and entertainment system will be the first of its kind to launch in the country thanks to the opening-up of foreign game machine sales in Shanghai's pilot Free Trade Zone, which was launched in September last year.

"The launch of Xbox One here will bring distinction as the first-ever games console with Internet TV functionality in China," said Zhang Dazhong,senior vice president of Shanghai Media Group, the parent company of BesTV.

"The launch of Xbox is a milestone for our company in the family entertainment market and will create profit growth opportunities," said Zhang.

In September, Microsoft and BesTV formed a joint venture and pledged to invest 237 million U.S. dollars in family games and related services.

More than 5 million Xbox One consoles have been sold in 13 countries since it was launched in November. Xbox One will be available in 42 markets worldwide this September, according to a BesTV statement.

BesTV, a subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group, boasts 18 million IPTV subscribers with its businesses in China, southeast Asia and eastern Europe.