Guangzhou city launched a number of research and development (R&D) projects, including those with multinational giants Microsoft and IBM, yesterday to consolidate South China's leading position in science and technology.

Speaking on the occasion, the vice-director of the Administrative Committee of Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District, Liu Yuelun, said the projects would help boost the development of domestic IT companies.

Guangzhou High-tech Industrial Zone (GHIZ) in the capital of South China's Guangdong Province played host to the launch, where Intel signed an agreement with Liu's committee to develop an international data security solution center.

With an investment of about $180 million, the center will provide data security solutions for leading multinational corporations in South China. It will also serve as Intel's technology support base in South China and its global outsourcing test center, Liu said.

Microsoft (China) Co, too, signed a cooperation agreement with the Guangzhou Liangyu Investment Co to develop an industrial base in GHIZ.

To be called Microsoft (China) Industrial Base, the $150-million project includes development of a technology supporting and advanced software training centers, and a software outsourcing industrial park, Microsoft (China) Tim Chen said.

The company will set up a management center in South China, too, to deal with the increasing demand of software products in the region.

"We will integrate all software-related industries in South China. And we believe the new project will strengthen our business ties with Chinese companies," Chen said.

IBM (China) signed an agreement with Guangdong Software Scientific Park to build a software R&D center in Guangzhou, the company's third in China and 19th in the world.

Another agreement on industrial design and R&D center was signed between the Hong Kong-based BESCO Enterprise Developing Co and the Administrative Committee of Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District.

"The center, Guangzhou's first overseas investment project to focus on industrial design and innovation, will be the headquarters of BESCO in the pan-Asian region," BECSO general manager Adam Jiang said.

"We expect more innovative enterprises with a focus on industrial design, software, Internet gaming and cartoon products to move into the city," Jiang said.

Editor: Yan