Microsoft announced Tuesday that a total investment of US$40 million over the next few years will be used to expand its Asian Regional Engineering Center in Shanghai. The scale of the center will be doubled, from the current 300 engineers to 600 engineers.

With the investment, the center will provide global support for developer tools of Windows and Microsoft Office via the Internet.

Ballmer also announced today that Microsoft will explore the possibility of establishing a Sino-Foreign joint venture software company with Beijing Centergate Technologies (holding) Co., Ltd.

It also aims to continue to develop the Beijing Zhongguancun high-tech zone as a world class center for software development and new technological ventures. Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will provide technical, management, business development and financial support once the new venture has been established.

(Xinhua)