US software giant Microsoft Corp is actively seeking Chinese partners to better access the nation's huge market and its engineering talent, the company's CEO Steve Ballmer said Monday.
"We need to broaden out our ability to partner with all the latest technology, with the broadest set of customers here in China, in rural areas and in urban areas," he told a briefing in Beijing.
"We will only succeed in that if we have great partnerships with Chinese technology companies."
Partnerships with Chinese companies also helps Microsoft access Chinese technology talent, he said.
Microsoft said early this year it would invest about 100 million dollars annually over the next three to five years in China.
Microsoft also said then it planned to employ 3,000 people in the Microsoft China RD Group Center by the end of 2008, up from 800 staff currently employed, it said.
