In the afternoon, Baidu announced the appointment of former HUAWEI vice president and chief Telecom scientist Li Yinan as the chief technology officer (CTO) of the company. The appointment will take effect from now on.

HUAWEI officials said they would not comment on the matter.

We are very pleased that Mr. Li Yinan has joined Baidu as chief technology officer.

Robin Li, chairman and chief executive officer of Baidu's board of directors, said: "Li Yinan is a leading expert in China's independent innovation field of science and technology, and has outstanding management experience in the world's leading technology companies.

I believe that Mr. Li Yinan's joining will surely lead Baidu's product technology team to a new peak.

Li Yinan is a celebrity in the field of IT communications in China.

He entered junior middle school of Huazhong University of science and technology and got his master's degree. After graduation, he joined HUAWEI.

A year and a half later, Li Yinan was promoted to deputy general manager of the central research department. He was promoted to Chief Engineer / Central Research Department of HUAWEI company two years ago. He became a vice president of HUAWEI company at the age of 27 and managed a team of more than 5000 people.

In 2000, Li Yinan left the HUAWEI venture to create the harbour network.

After being acquired by HUAWEI in 2006, Li Yinan returned to HUAWEI as vice president and chief scientist.

Prior to this, it has been rumored that Li Yinan will become the successor of the 64 year old HUAWEI President Ren Zhengfei, and the news of joining Baidu once again denied this statement.

After the departure of Baidu CTO Liu Jianguo in October 2006, the position has been vacant. Baidu believes that Li Yinan is the most suitable candidate for Baidu chief technology officer.

In the first half of this year, Baidu appointed several executives, Li Xinzhe, chief financial officer (CFO) and COO, Ye Peng, who came to office in 3 and April this year.