Microsoft sets up MSN R&D center in China: sources http://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=ousiv&storyid=2007-01-31T062409Z_01_SHA229238_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESSPRO-MICRSOFT-CHINA-MSN-DC.XML&from=business
Wed Jan 31, 2007
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Software giant Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile , Research) is setting up a research and development center in Shanghai for its online MSN service, its first such center outside the United States, sources familiar with the plan said on Wednesday.
The R&D center, based in the city's Zizhu Science Park, where chip giant Intel Corp. (INTC.O: Quote, Profile , Research) already has a research office, will develop Internet software, the sources added.
The center, which will cost up to $20 million, will also have a technical support team for Microsoft's online communication tool MSN Messenger. MSN Messenger has over 20 million users in China, the world's second-largest Web market with around 137 million users.
Microsoft could not immediately be reached for comment.
(Additional reporting by George Chen and David Lin)
© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved.