Microsoft Denies China Exit, Lab Closure Confirmed
1min read On April 7, an email screenshot claiming that microsoft would cease operations in China began circulating. The email stated that due to geopolitical changes and the international business environment, Microsoft would adjust its global strategy and officially stop operations in China starting April 8, 2025. This decision would also mean the termination of related work for Microsoft project teams. The company expressed concern for the uncertainty this change might bring to employees and promised to develop a detailed transition plan to support their career development. Microsoft also mentioned plans to expand overseas operations in regions like Vietnam, Japan, and Hungary, offering priority job opportunities to former employees of the affected business lines.
However, internal sources at Microsoft clarified that the email was actually from Shanghai Weicre, a Microsoft outsourcing company, and not from Microsoft China itself. Shanghai Weicre Software Co., Ltd., established in 2002 as a joint venture between Microsoft and the Shanghai municipal government, is a global digital transformation service provider. Despite this clarification, recent reports indicate that several projects associated with Microsoft have been halted. Notably, the Microsoft Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things Laboratory, originally scheduled to operate until 2025, entered a "silent period" and ceased new project admissions by the end of 2024. This lab, one of seven globally established by Microsoft, was inaugurated in May 2019 on Shanghai's Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Island. Initially funded jointly by Zhangjiang and Microsoft, the lab faced funding withdrawal from Microsoft as the contract neared expiration. Recent rumors suggest that the collaboration has ended and the lab has closed.
The misinformation surrounding Microsoft's operations in China highlights the complexities of global business environments and the importance of accurate communication. While Microsoft China remains operational, the situation underscores the need for clear and transparent updates from companies to avoid misunderstandings and speculation. The company's continued focus on digital transformation and overseas expansion reflects its strategic adaptability in a rapidly changing market.
