Cisco enters next phase of strategy in China

CEO John Chambers at a press conference in Beijing said Cisco's multi-year innovation and sustainability initiative in China includes research and development, education, procurement, investment and training.

“Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China's National Development and Reform Commission with a focus on next-generation Internet and green research and development programs, leadership training, best practice sharing and business development investments,” he said. “This also includes a MOU with China's Ministry of Commerce, aimed at furthering Cisco's commitment to technology innovation and providing assistance to Chinese businesses in the development of Information Technology and business process outsourcing capabilities within the country.”

The strategy also includes a ‘strategic cooperation’ with Peking University to create the 'Guanghua Cisco Leadership Institute' for leadership development, said Chambers.

The networking giant will establish the 'Cisco China Strategy Board' - a cross-functional executive board of senior leaders across Cisco's global business, to evolve and drive the vision and strategy for Cisco in China. Jim Sherriff, Cisco senior vice president of global operations, will be elevated to the newly formed position of chairman, Cisco China.

"The next stage of our strategy for China reflects the country's importance to Cisco's global growth strategy and to our long-term business model, built upon next-generation innovation in collaboration and Web 2.0 technologies," Chambers said.