For Immediate Release

BEIJING, July 11, 2000 - TOM.COM, the mega portal announced in Beijing today the official launch of its China version with 12 specially designed and informative vertical channels taking a major step to tap the enormous potential of the Mainland internet market.

The 12 channels, in simplified Chinese characters, include News Desk, China Heritage, Literature Gallery, Game Zone, Pop Tech, Fun House, Science Lab, Finance Centre, Military Square, Fashion Online, City Rhythm and Cyber Sports. They are all crafted to fully meet the needs of China's audience. With favorite topics for all, Internet users will be able to enjoy the pleasure of Internet navigation while gaining a better understanding of the world on TOM.

Riding on the Internet growth with 10 million users in the Mainland, TOM.COM's vision is to develop a multi-lingual mega portal focusing on China-related infotainment. In China, TOM.COM has forged ties with a range of authoritative organizations in tourism, culture, publishing, finance, leisure, movie, science and technology, online learning, fashion, entertainment and sports. In China, TOM.COM has established alliance with a number of authoritative Internet content providers.

TOM joined forces with the well-established China Travel Network Co. Ltd. to set up GoChinaGo.com. It offers rich and compelling China-related tourist information and online services which, in turn, build up TOM's authority in online travel. TOM's China Heritage channel is the authorized website of the National Cultural Relics Bureau. The abundant information provided by the Chinese Historical Antiquities Exchange Association enriches TOM's content on traditional Chinese culture and ancient Chinese artifacts. The Chinese Academy of Science, China's top research institute, is the sole provider of TOM's in-depth scientific information. In contrast, the cooperation with the China Football Association in running its official website helps TOM establish leadership in the sports arena.

The alliance with Shanghai Maya Online, the largest broadband content provider in China, and via its portal, www.cnnews.com, brings 5,000 news items per day. The latter is the first website to gain approval from the Information Office of the State Council for reporting news through the Internet.

TOM also cooperates with Beijing Oriental Spider Advertising Co. Ltd., a company owned by famous artist Zhu Shimao, to offer interesting and traditional China-related information on topics such as the Great Wall and the panda. It has also joined forces with Beijing Xin Chao Yue Advertising Co. Ltd. to establish "Super Star Club", with home pages on the hottest movie stars and directors. The online casting of actresses conducted recently at the site for world-renowned director Zhang Yimou's upcoming movie has received an enormous response in China.

"The Internet is the fastest moving business in the world and China's Internet market is the one with the greatest potential. We firmly believe that TOM.COM will become both the best portal in providing China-related information and the top choice for local and global Internet users," said Sing Wang, Chief Investment Officer of TOM.COM at the launch ceremony.

Issued by WORLDCOM Hong Kong Limited on behalf of TOM.COM LIMITED.
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