Dell $125 Billion Directed at China for Jobs, New Business and Innovation

Dell said it will invest $125 billion in China over the next five years, in an initiative top officials called the vendor’s “In China, For China 4.0 strategy.”

The Austin, Texas-based PC and server solutions maker said the investment, made through Dell Ventures, will contribute some $175 billion to imports and exports, help to sustain 1 million jobs and cement Dell’s long-term commitment to China. Dell said it plans to “deeply integrate” its planning into Chinese economic development and policies.

Dell, which has been selling its gear in China since 1995, said it will expand its local research and development efforts and will construct a facility featuring its IT solutions aimed specifically at the China market. The vendor also said it will collaborate with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to jointly establish a lab focused on artificial intelligence and advanced computing.

In addition, Dell said it has partnered with Kingsoft Corp. on big data and cloud technology and services to support China’s “Internet+” national strategy.

“China and the United States are among the countries where the information industry is developing the fastest, resulting in the most vibrant enterprises,” said Michael Dell.

“The Internet is the new engine for China’s future economic growth and has unlimited potential,” he said. “Being an innovative and efficient technology company, Dell will embrace the principle of ‘In China, for China’ and closely integrate Dell China strategies with national policies in order to support Chinese technological innovation, economic development and industrial transformation,” he said.

Dell said China’s importance to the company, especially in supply chain and sales, will continue to grow through the investment. The vendor currently has a presence in some 11,700 retail stores in China, including 100 outlets for its Alienware gaming equipment.

China is Dell’s second largest market outside of the U.S.