Asia Tech Wire (May 21) -- Tencent will invest in Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI, which has reached a valuation of $3 billion, according to the latest market news.

Multiple Chinese media reports said that funding for large model startup Moonshot AI is still ongoing, and the valuation offer has reached $3 billion in the latest round.

In addition to Alibaba, which has long invested in the startup, sources familiar with the matter said that new investors include Tencent, Gaorong Capital and other institutions.

Tencent's participation could pave the way for a deeper partnership between messaging and social media app Weixin (or WeChat) and Moonshot AI's chatbot kimi, the sources said.

Tencent has already invested in three Chinese AI startups, namely MiniMax, Zhipu AI and Baichuan AI.

In response, Tencent said it had no comment, while Moonshot AI said, "We officially do not comment on financing news."

In mid-February this year, Moonshot AI had secured a round of funding of more than a billion dollars, when its valuation had reached $2.5 billion.