Craig Barrett, Intel's chief executive, told reporters in Taipei recently that he hopes to resolve a trade dispute with China over wireless computer networking equipment by June 1, the deadline by which China will require wireless networking gear sold in the country to incorporate the Chinese-designed data encryption scheme called wireless authentication and privacy infrastructure, or WAPI.

Currently, only a few Chinese companies have access to the technology, and foreign wireless chip makers would be required to share their chip designs with local partners.

"We haven't changed our basic position. We will sell our Centrino mobile technology up until June 1. Hopefully, we'll get the issue resolved before then," said Barrett. In March, Intel took a stand against developing Chinese encryption standards for wireless computing, arguing the rules could block hundreds of millions of dollars in sales to China. Mr Barrett is currently starting an Asian tour that includes stops in Malaysia and China.