International cell phone maker Nokia and Shanghai-based New Alliance have jointly announced that they will set up a joint venture in Beijing, with each party owning a 50% stake.

The new joint venture, Nokia Alliance Internet Services Company Ltd., aims to provide mobile services in mainland China and to support the local developer ecosystem.

Niklas Savander, executive vice president for Nokia's service department, told local media that as Nokia is entering the services business in China, establishing this joint venture is a natural step to help the company bring locally relevant mobile services to Chinese consumers.

With about 80 employees, this new company will start operation in January 2010.