Many American and European online merchants are familiar with Alibaba as a site on which to source products from China. But the online-auction site said it is planning to introduce a service for U.S. businesses to sell their products to its Chinese customers.

According to a blog post on SFgate.com, "The site will let small and mid-sized U.S. businesses deal directly with their counterparts in China, such as allowing a Napa winery to connect to restaurants in China looking to offer California wines" (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=19&entry_id=26610).

The post goes on to mention the impact of the China earthquake on Alibaba. The company has already initiated programs to aid in relief efforts, and you can read more and keep up-to-date through the Alibaba blog (http://www.aliblog.alibaba.com).

Earlier this week, Alibaba.com and Softbank announced the formation of a joint venture company called Alibaba.com Japan. The new company will take over the operation of Alibaba.com's existing Japanese-language website that connects small and medium enterprises in Japan with buyers and suppliers around the world.