General Motors (GM) expanded its educational partnership with a leading Chinese university on Tuesday, establishing a technology institute in the eastern city of Shanghai.

The institute, jointly set up by GM and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), will focus on research and development and technical training.

GM will invest 4 million U.S. dollars in the institute over the next five years.

"SJTU and GM are enhancing cooperation in not only car design but also other critical technologies, such as the automotive power unit," said Zhang Jie, president of SJTU.

The arrangements "indicate China's significant role in the group's global technology development and research system," said Kevin Wale, chairman and managing director of GM China.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2008)