Japanese electronics giant NEC is proposing to establish a joint venture to manufacture liquid crystal displays in China, Reuters reported. The venture would produce displays for televisions, monitors and personal computers. It would use fifth-generation technology that reduces costs by cutting displays from larger sheets of glass. NEC plans to hold a 25 per cent stake in the venture. The partner, Shanghai General Electronics said that total investment would be US$850m. Earlier this year NEC announced that it would transfer the bulk of its PC manufacturing to China.
Meanwhile Pioneer is establishing a product design centre in Shanghai, reported Nihon Keizai Shimbun. In two to three years, the Japanese company plans to hire about 80 Chinese engineers to staff the centre, which will be located in its existing Shanghai plant. They will develop a range of digital products, such as DVD players and car stereos, to be manufactured in China.