Internet and online game service provider NetEase (Nasdaq:NTES) plans to make its Internet Portal department an independent business with its own content and systems for sales, marketing and administration, reports Sina quoting an unnamed insider. NetEase Vice Presidents (VP) Li Yong and Yu Huafeng are expected to jointly lead the new business, with Li in charge of administration, content and human resources, and Yu in charge of sales and marketing, said the insider. Former Hexun Editor-in-Chief Yang Bin will direct marketing for the business and report to Yu, according to the insider. Another source said NetEase plans to announce the changes in March; NetEase had no comment, the report said. February reports said NetEase planned to move more than 100 news center employees to Beijing in 2009 to expand the company's portal business.

Netease has recorded 300 million users for its email service, reports CCIDnet.com. The company had 280 million email users by late November 2008.