Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has opened a new multi-million dollar research and development facility in Shanghai.

The new center will increase collaboration between technology partners and customers on future platform innovations, AMD said, with an initial focus on development of the company’s next-generation mobile platforms. However, the chipmaker noted that the facility will also play an important role in the validation and testing of AMD’s current and future microprocessors.

"This opening, which is the largest single expansion of system design and customer support resources in AMD's history, represents both our deep commitment to China and to moving more of our center of gravity closer to customers and technology end-users," said Dirk Meyer, president and COO of the semiconductor company, in a statement. "The SRDC will dramatically improve our ability to help our customers create highly advanced, next-generation platform designs and help accelerate time to market."
Shanghai officials welcomed the new facility.

"Shanghai is fast becoming one of the world's top centers for computer system design excellence, and we are pleased to see industry leaders like AMD increasing their investment in the region," said Hu Wei, Vice Chairman of Shanghai Municipal People's Congress. "With the tremendous technology infrastructure and talent in Shanghai to draw from, we look forward to seeing the research and development innovation that comes out of the SRDC (Shanghai Research and Development Center)."

AMD said it will employ hundreds at the new facility, making it AMD's largest system design hub outside of the United States. The chipmaker said the SRDC opening will benefit key AMD Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) customers in the region including such as Lenovo, Tongfang, Flocity, HP, IBM, Sun, Acer, Asus, BenQ, Fujitsu and many others.

"As one of the fastest growing IT markets in the world, China plays a key role in the long-term growth and success of AMD," said Karen Guo, corporate VP and president of AMD Greater China. "The opening of SRDC further expands our footprint in the region while enhancing our ability to serve customers and partners in China and around the world."

The new R&D facility is only the most recent expansion move by AMD.  Over the last few months the MPU maker has announced new investment in its Dresden, Germany fab, and construction of another new fab in New York.

AMD runs several facilities in China, including two platform development labs in Beijing, one with Peking University's Founder Group Corp. and the other with BLX IC Design Corp. Ltd., both announced in 2003. 

The chipmaker's Greater China headquarters, announced in 2004, is also located in Beijing and is responsible for all operations in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.