Google is creating the base to better connect with the growing number of computer users in China's rapidly growing economy and to tap into the talents of Chinese scientists and engineers, company officials said.

Technology industry veteran Lee Kai-Fu has been hired as president of Google's Chinese operations and will head the new center, slated to be running by October, according to Google.

"It has always been my goal to make advanced technologies accessible and useful to every user, as well as to be part of the vibrant growth and innovation in China today," Lee is quoted as saying in a company statement.

"Joining Google uniquely enables me to pursue both of my passions and I look forward to returning to China to begin this exciting endeavor."

Google officials heralded the creation of the center as a sign of strong commitment to cultivating Chinese talent as well as its intent to form alliances with universities and institutes.

"The opening of an R and D center in China will strengthen Google's efforts in delivering the best search experience to our users and partners worldwide," said Alan Eustace, vice president of engineering at Google.

The Google center in China "will enable us to develop more innovative products and technologies for millions of users in China and around the world," he added.

A computer scientist known for pioneering work in the areas of speech recognition and artificial intelligence, Lee joined Google from US software giant Microsoft, where he was a corporate vice president.

Lee took part in the founding of Microsoft Research China in the late 1990s. He has also done stints working at computer pioneer Apple, according to Google.

"Dr. Lee is the ideal candidate to do great things for Google and for China," Gu Binglin, president of Tsinghua University, was quoted as saying in the release. Google's headquarters is in Mountain View, a short distance south of San Francisco. Its list of global engineering offices includes facilities in Tokyo, Zurich, Bangalore, New York and elsewhere.

(Photo source: AFP/Baidu)