Microsoft launched a technology center in China's southern coastal city of Guangzhou on Monday which aims to promote the advance of information technology (IT) in China through cooperation with local software developers.

The center will provide technology services concerning information security, education and training authentication, family digital entertainment and tele-administration.

The center, based in the State-level Tianhe software industrial zone, is expected to turn Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, into a software base for the southern China area, said Shen Bonian, administrative vice mayor of Guangzhou.

The software industry in the city is expected to earn a total income of more than 100 billion yuan (12.5 billion US dollars) by the end of 2010, with an annual increase rate of 35 percent, Shen estimated.

The center will strive to meet the demand of Chinese enterprises and families and achieve joint progress with China's IT sector, according to Chen Yongzheng, chief CEO in charge of Microsoft's business in China.

Microsoft has established technology centers in the provinces of Shandong, Liaoning, and the cities of Chengdu and Hefei.

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