Posted on 10/25/2005 6:31:18 AM PDT by NonAmerican
BEIJING - At a ceremony today in China's Great Hall of the People, AMD (NYSE:AMD) executives signed agreements with the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Peking University to license AMD x86 microprocessor design technology that will enable Chinese development of low-power and embedded computer solutions for consumer and commercial markets. AMD also announced the contribution of US$750,000 to support technology deployment for primary education in rural China and opened a new headquarters for AMD Greater China.
"AMD and China share a deep mutual respect for the ability of technology to promote economic and educational opportunities," said AMD president and CEO Hector Ruiz. "AMD's investments of technology, facilities and resources are a sign of our commitment to provide industry-standard x86-based computing solutions to the people of China."
"Products based on this x86 processor represent an energy-efficient, industry-standard technology that can fundamentally transform the productivity of businesses and individuals in China," said Mr. Ma Songde, Vice Minister of MOST. "This important licensing agreement advances AMD's vision of industry-standard technology meeting the needs of people in virtually any environment and grants AMD exposure to Chinese research and development and our growing market."
The licensing of core x86 AMD GeodeTM processor technology to Peking University via collaboration with MOST will contribute to China's development of low-power and embedded x86 processor technology in the Greater China region. MOST will facilitate discussions between AMD and Chinese companies receiving access to x86 technology licenses. AMD will earn revenue from licensing the AMD Geode processor to commercial entities designated by Peking University and MOST.
Additionally, AMD will have access to intellectual property derived from the licensed technology and options to invest in businesses that emerge from development of AMD Geode processor-based technology in China. The AMD Geode processor technology is one of the highest-performing processors that U.S. Department of Commerce technology export requirements allow without a license.
AMD also formally opened its new Greater China Headquarters in the Zhongguancun Science Park. Frequently referred to as China's Silicon Valley, Zhongguancun is home to several Chinese information technology companies, research institutes, and colleges and universities.
In addition, AMD executives will sign an agreement with the Chinese Ministry of Education to donate Rmb 6 million (approximately US$750,000) during the next three years to extend the deployment of information technology supporting primary education in underdeveloped areas of middle and western China. This agreement extends AMD's previous support of education in China, which has included donations to schools in rural areas, scholarships and assistantships, and the donation of AMD64 processor-based computers to university teaching labs. It also advances AMD's 50x15 initiative, which aims to empower 50 percent of the world's population with affordable Internet access and computing capability by the year 2015.
"Opening the AMD Greater China headquarters in Zhongguancun Science Park will put AMD at the heart of China's booming technology industry, close to our partners and customers and significant new business opportunities," Ruiz said. "Our x86 licensing agreement and significant financial contribution to China's rural education initiatives align with AMD's long-term commitment to extend Internet access globally as we grow our business in one of the world's fastest-growing markets."
AMD is taking a huge risk.
china related ping...
I think I'm going to sign up for a class in conversational Chinese.
"AMD is taking a huge risk."
It's bigger than non-techies probably realize - AMD clearly is making better, faster processors than Intel. They risk giving China the ability to make the best processors in the world not long after it was ilegal to even export a single fast PC to China.
That might depend on what AMD has in the pipeline that is not included in the Chinese agreement. If AMD has a next generation that is much better and it is not included in the agreement, it would not amount to much more than when Intel licensed Harris to make the 8086 and 8088 processors.
INTEL may have done the equivilent of what Apple did when it went from the Apple II to the Mac. AMD may be doing what Microsoft did when it went from DOS to Windows.
A huge amount of the worlds production of devices that use microprocessors will be done in China. If AMD can get China to standardize on AMD chips, Intel will go from 90 percent of the market to 10.
Are you sure Steve Jobs brother is not running INTEL?
> AMD is taking a huge risk.
This is the Geode we're talking about here (a seriously
also-ran 32-bit x86 clone), and not the Opteron, Athlon64
or even Athlon32.
Had AMD not done this, I suspect the Chinese would have
made a deal to get the comparable C3 tech from VIA in
Taiwan ("sell us the blueprints or we invade your island").
But yes, doing business with anyone in China is ultimately
doing business with the PRA, and is dangerous.
Most disturbing to me is AMD's donation of $750,000 to the Chinese. It's a miniscule amount for AMD but I wonder what it's going to (ie. leaders' pockets).
I'm somewhat uncertain of these business arrangements with the Chinese. It could possibly open up the Chinese people to new things and eventually kill off the Communists. On the other hand, this advancement in Chinese technology could end up in an ICBM headed for New York City some day.
>>doing business with the PRA
It's PLA.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.