56.com is one of the largest video sharing websites in China, where users can upload, view and share video clips. A fully owned subsidiary of Sohu, the company is headquartered in Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong. The domain 56.com attracted at least 3.2 million visitors annually by 2008 according to a Compete.com survey. Access to the Chinese online video provider 56.com was suspended since 18:00 on June 3, 2008. 56.com made an explanation at 10:00 on June 4, 16 hours after the website's access was stopped, and said that the website had experienced a server failure and was being repaired, but it did not give a clear time for when the site's services would be fully resumed. Some media, such as Hexun.com and Sina.com, reported that as 56.com had frequently violated relevant government rules with its video content, it had therefore been issued a warning by the government and might be closed for a few days. However, this was denied by 56.com. By July 11, 2008, 56.com was back and operational. On December 31 2014, Sohu had reached a deal with compatriot social networking site operator Renren to acquire the 56.com. According to a source familiar with the deal, Sohu paid USD 25 million for 56.com.