(Yicai Global) July 12 -- China's second biggest e-commerce player JD.Com will link up with Google to explore online retail opportunities in overseas markets following a USD550 million partnership agreement.

The alliance could lead to Google listing JD products on its online shopping platform in Southeast Asia, the US and Europe, the Beijing-based retailer said in a statement. The deal will not affect JD's China-related operations for now.

JD aims to leverage global alliances with major players to bolster efforts to expand outside of China's borders. Alibaba Group Holding, the key adversary of JD's main backer, Tencent Holdings, has forged similar tie-ups in overseas markets especially in Southeast Asia where it operates online sales platform Lazada.

The move marks Google's second major foray into e-commerce in the space of a week. The Alphabet unit has agreed a deal with Carrefour to include products from France's biggest retailer on its new local shopping site and on smart devices.