Chinese instant messaging operator Tencent has obtained more than 400 patents, becoming one of the world's largest patent-holding Internet companies, reported Monday's China Daily.

The newspaper said, citing company executives, that the achievement was gained by increased research and development activities of the Shenzhen-based company.

The company has established a research institute with an investment of more than 100 million yuan (US$14.3 million).

It also attracted talent from other technology companies such as Microsoft, Google, IBM and Huawei Technologies. About half of Tencent's employees are working on research-related fields, the newspaper said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2009)