Intel, Legend to set up Beijing research center

Furthering its presence in China, Intel Corp. said Thursday that it is establishing a technology center in Beijing with local computer maker Legend Group Ltd. to research and develop secure computing and next-generation Internet technologies for the Chinese market.

The new Intel-Lenovo Technology Advancement Center, featuring Legend’s new Lenovo hardware brand name, will focus on the research and design of products for the convergence of computing and communications such as mobile PCs. It will also look at platform standards and computing platforms for digital homes and offices, Intel said.

News of the Beijing research center comes one day after Intel announced plans to construct a semiconductor assembly and testing plant in China’s western Sichuan Providence. The Santa Clara, California, chipmaker is spending $200 million on the new factory in Chengdu, which is expected to employ 675 people at the outset. 

Construction of the Chengdu factory is slated for the first half of 2004 and the company said that it also anticipates a second-phase investment of $175 million with further job creation.

Intel said that the factory and research center reflect a growing demand for Intel products in Asia. The chip maker also has assembly, testing and customer support facilities in other locations in China.