(Yicai Global) Dec. 1 -- Century Huatong Group’s shares surged after the Chinese firm said a unit signed a deal to distribute, promote and operate Tencent Holdings’ video games on its platform.

Tencent-backed Century Huatong [SHE: 002602] closed up 9.1 percent at CNY8 (USD1.26) today.

Shengqu Games, Century Huatong’s wholly owned unit, signed the three-year deal on Nov. 29. The tie-up draws on Tencent’s strengths in gaming and Century Huatong’s experience in publishing and operations to jointly develop a new ecology, it said. Century Huatong also said it will help develop games.

Tencent, a major games publisher, raised its stake in Century Huatong in March and is now its second-largest shareholder.

Editor: Tom Litting