Microsoft, China's Hangzhou set 'model city' pact (Microsoft Invests in China)

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

SHANGHAI (AP) — Microsoft Corp. announced a partnership aimed at helping make the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou a model for innovation and protection of intellectual property, in the company's latest attempt to combat rampant software piracy.

A three-year agreement signed Friday calls for setting up two new centers in Hangzhou to focus on developing the local technology industry. Microsoft will provide curriculum support, technology and training for teachers at Hangzhou Normal University through an institute set up to nurture local innovation.

"Partnering with leading IT companies like Microsoft will greatly boost Hangzhou's innovative capabilities and help us build a model information technology city in China," Cai Qi, Hangzhou's mayor, said in a statement.

No dollar figure was announced for the plan. Spending will be above the roughly $1 billion the company pledged in November to spend on research and development in China over the following three years.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gLUrdOam_K8xBOeSBtuSapbr8-CQD986J7N00