Microsoft’s (MSFT.NASDAQ) CEO Steve Ballmer says the company plans to hire several thousand workers in China as its market share in smartphones and cloud computing services increases, Bloomberg reported. Ballmer said that China is the fastest growing market for its new smartphone operating system, Windows Phone 8. The mobile OS has received a tepid response from other markets around the world. The software giant also plans to launch its Windows Azure cloud computing system next month as a joint venture with Beijing-based 21 Vianet Group (VNET.NASDAQ), which would make it the first company to offer cloud computing services in China.