EMC Corp will invest US$1 billion in the next five years in China, double its previous projected figure in 2006, to boost research and development, the US-based storage-related IT service provider said yesterday.

EMC, the world's sixth biggest software storage and security vendor, opened a research center in Beijing yesterday and a newly-built R&D center in Shanghai on Wednesday.

The US$500-million investment announced in June 2006 is now expected to double, reaching about US$1 billion through 2012. The additional investment will be spent on expanding R&D operations, expanding its partnerships, strengthening sales and service capabilities to serve the rapidly-growing Chinese market more effectively.

"China's contribution, both in terms of a market and as a culture of innovation, has been spectacular. The additional investment reiterates our deep commitment to this rapidly growing economy and emphasizes the important role that China will have in EMC's long-term business success," Joe Tucci, its chairman, president and chief executive, said in a statement.

The booming credit card, mobile phone and Website server sectors have ignited demand for data storage and related management and security software, industry insiders said.

China's storage equipment market is huge at two billion yuan (US$250 million) every quarter, according to Beijing-based research firm CCID Consulting.

EMC relocated its Shanghai research center to Yangpu District, where it is close to Fudan University.