Remarks by Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer
Beijing, China
May 25, 2011
STEVE BALLMER: Distinguished guests, it is so exciting for me to have a chance to be here with you today. When we started research in China almost 20 years ago, if you had asked me whether we’d ever see something as magnificent and large and filled with amazing talent as this building, I would have said probably not. What a day.
I remember my first visits out here to Zhongguancun to visit our labs, to visit some of the universities in the area, and certainly the level of progress and development has come a long way.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at the opening ceremony for the new Microsoft Asia R&D campus in Beijing on May 25, 2011.
What was true then and what is true now is the incredible talent that can create amazing innovation, not only for China but for the world, and at Microsoft we’re extremely proud to have a chance to partner in these efforts.
We continue to invest in China, not just for the opportunity that is represented here, but because of the incredible creative minds and creative work that has already come to market from our staff here in China.
When our teams here first started talking to me about innovations in vision, computer vision and natural user interface, I’m not sure I really believed when we would productize amazing technology that would recognize a human being and their movements and their actions, and be able to project those into cyberspace. But because of the creativity in that area and many more, those things are now a reality.
We’re very proud of our opportunity to contribute in China. Just yesterday, we announced a new investment of up to 1.3 billion renminbi targeted at stimulating startup companies here in China, because we know the key to growth is not only our own success, innovation and prosperity, but that of our partners here in the Chinese market.
A scene from the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Microsoft Asia R&D campus in Beijing on May 25, 2011.
China this year will surpass the United States as the largest market in the world for personal computers, and the increasing health of innovation and intellectual property here in China will be key to the ongoing success, growth and prosperity for all.
As I look at this very large facility, I know that we have thousands of people here, and room for thousands more people, with great ideas and great innovation, and we certainly look forward to expanding and growing here at the ARD.
I want to thank and appreciate all of the support from all of the many officials who are here today, who enabled this great campus to be a reality. We very much appreciate it. And I want to say I’m a little bit jealous. If I could have an office in this beautiful complex with weather like this every day in Beijing, I think I’d move here. (Cheers, applause.)
Thank you all very, very much. It’s been an honor to be here. We appreciate the support.