FACEBOOK has set up a subsidiary in China and plans to create an “innovation hub” to support local startups and developers, the social media company said late Tuesday, ramping up its presence in the Chinese market. The subsidiary is registered in Hangzhou, home of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., according to a filing approved on China’s National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System. “We are interested in setting up an innovation hub in Zhejiang to support Chinese developers, innovators and startups,” a Facebook representative said via email, referring to the Chinese Province where Hangzhou is located. Facebook has created similar hubs in France, Brazil, India and South Korea to focus on training and workshops, the spokesperson said. Setting up a company-owned enterprise in China does not mean Facebook is changing its approach in the country, the company said, adding that it was still learning what it takes to be in China. The filing listed only one shareholder of the new entity, Facebook Hong Kong Ltd. Apple announced plans last year to set up two new research and development centers in China, saying that the hubs would be in Shanghai and Suzhou. (SD-Agencies) |