Baidu.com to launch an instant messaging service

(Reuters) - China's top search engine Baidu.com Inc said it plans to launch an instant messaging service, called "Baidu Hi."

All elements of Baidu Hi including product design, research and testing will be handled independently by the company, which is in the process of recruiting additional personnel for developing the product, Baidu.com said in a statement. (Reporting by Sreerupa Mitra in Bangalore)