Exclusive | Microsoft’s man in China defects to search powerhouse Baidu

Zhang Yaqin, the man who helped build Microsoft's biggest technology research operation outside of the United States, is leaving the software giant to join Chinese online search powerhouse Baidu.

Sources close to Baidu said Zhang would be named president for new business and become an integral part of the company's senior management. He would report directly to Robin Li Yanhong, the co-founder, chairman and chief executive of Baidu.

A protege of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Zhang currently serves as a corporate vice-president and the chairman of Microsoft Asia-Pacific Research and Development Group, which has its headquarters in Beijing. He leads more than 3,000 engineers and scientists engaged in basic research, technology innovations and incubation, product development and strategic partnerships.

Zhang's resignation from Microsoft was expected to be announced by the company this week, the sources said.

For Baidu, hiring the distinguished scientist will likely give the company a greater profile in technological innovation as competition intensifies against mainland rivals Alibaba, the world's biggest e-commerce services provider, and Tencent, Asia's largest-listed internet company.

Zhang's departure could mark a big blow to Microsoft's operations on the mainland, where the company is facing an anti-monopoly investigation.

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce last week gave Microsoft a 20-day deadline to provide a written explanation concerning the company's domestic business, as well as respond to compatibility and other issues with its Windows and Office software reported by mainland enterprises.