Tencent Inc and China Merchants Bank has signed a strategic cooperation deal, the first cross-industry cooperation between an Internet portal and a bank, both sides said yesterday.

The two firms both have attracted many young customers, including QQ users and China Merchant's credit card owners, which give the partnership a solid foundation, industry insiders said.

Both sides will also expand the cooperation in co-branded credit cards, online payment and corporate social responsibility.

As a partner of World Expo, Tencent, along with China Merchants, will jointly promote the brands through the event, said Sun Zhonghuai, Tencent's general manager.