At the end of last year, Microsoft invested U.S.$ 80 million in a China Research Institute specializing in essential research. It also declared recently that U.S.$ 50 million investment will be made in the Microsoft Asian Technology Center in Shanghai, the highest level research institute of Microsoft in China.
Siemens intensifies the localization of key technology. After a century of introducing track communication technology into China, vice president Mr. Burt said, "a century's experience persuaded us that a key factor securing the successful operation is the localization of key components.
In November 1999, Motorola (China) Electric Co., Ltd. built the "Motorola China Research Institute" in Beijing. It now has altogether eighteen R & D centers in China (including Hong Kong), 650 research personnel with a investment of RMB 1.3 billion, covering advanced semiconductor materials, micro-controller, CDMA, Will system, and chips for mobiles and software. By the year 2001, there will be 25 research centers and 1000 research personnel with a total investment of RMB 1.8 billion.
Northern Telecom International Ltd., IBM, Intel, Du Pont Holding Co., Ltd., P & G, Ericsson, Nokia, Panasonic and Mitsubishi have all established research centers, technological development centers and laboratories in China. AT &T even plans to open the first "Bell Lab". A French company will build "technological zones" in Beijing and Shanghai, including a chip factory and four application labs.
Thanks to the acceleration of component localization brought about by the establishment of R & D institutes by multinational companies, costs are reduced and the competitiveness is increased.
Notes
declare vt.宣称, 宣布, 宣告
China Research Institute中国研究学会
institute n.协会；学会；学院
Microsoft Asian Technology Center微软亚洲技术中心
Siemens西门子（公司）
intensify vt.加强
localization n.地方化，本土化
key technology 关键技术
track communication technology跟踪通讯技术
track n.轨迹, 跟踪
persuade v.说服, 劝说, (使)相信, 劝某人做(不做)某
factor n.因素, 要素,
component n.成分 adj.组成的, 构成的
Motorola (China) Electric Co., Ltd摩托罗拉（中国）电器有限公司
Motorola China Research Institute摩托罗拉（中国）研究学会
research personnel研发人员
advanced semiconductor materials先进的半导体材料
micro-controller微型控制器
chip n.集成电路片
software n. 软件
Northern Telecom International Ltd北方电讯国际有限公司
zone n.地域, 地带, 地区
application labs应用实验室
competitiveness竞争力(性)