Global mobile giant Ericsson announced yesterday it would set up a research and development center for mobile data applications in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, the Sina.com reported.

Ericsson China Co Ltd, the company's China unit, has begun preparations for the center, an investment of US$15 million. By the end of next year, the center expects to have 50 research engineers.

The new center indicates Ericsson's strong confidence in China, the company's No. 2 global market, said Mats H Olsson, President of Ericsson China.

With the rapid development of its telecommunications industry, China has a leading position in the world's telecom sector and has become a base for Ericsson's global supply and technology development, Olsson said.

"The new center, an added investment, reflects Ericsson's full commitment to long-term development in China," he added.

The R&D center, to be engaged in development of solutions catering to China's business market, will consolidate Ericsson's strategic partnership with domestic telecom operators and help them with a smooth transition to the third-generation technologies.

(Shanghai Daily December 9, 2004)