Intel (INTC) has announced the establishment of Asia-Pacific Research and Development Limited in China. The company will be based in Shanghai's Zizhu Science Park.

With continued strong growth expected across the region, Intel is planning for Asia-Pacific R&D Ltd. to employ more than 1,000 employees by the end of 2006. The facilities at Shanghai's Zizhu Science Park can accommodate up to 2,000 employees.

The announcement is part of the company's ongoing effort to embrace the growing pool of technical talents in China to enhance local R&D capabilities and to deliver time-to-market, customized platforms and solutions for markets across Asia Pacific and the world.

The expansion of Intel R&D activities in Shanghai recognizes the city's growing importance as a regional business and technology center and China's leading role in the development and adoption of advanced computing and communication technologies.

Asia-Pacific R&D Ltd. will focus on product development and platform-level innovations from all Intel product & technology groups, including the Digital Home Group, Digital Enterprise Group, Mobility Group, Channel Platforms Group, Digital Health Group, Software and Solutions Group, and the Information Services and Technology Group.

For more than two decades, Intel has invested nearly 1.3 billion dollars in China and cultivated a workforce of over 5,000 talented professionals. R&D has been a huge part of the company's investment since it first established the software labs in China in 1994.