The American computer processing unit producer, the major business rival of Intel in China, is planning to help develop a robust IT engineering ecosystem in the coastal city by partnering with local high-tech enterprises and set up training courses for local integrated circuit (IC) design engineers, software developers and platform authentication engineers.

"We also want to work more closely with Qingdao-based companies to develop software and hardware to meet local market demand," said AMD Chairman Bruce Claflin, during a meeting with the city's Party secretary Yan Qijun.

Clafin said he was very impressed with the efforts made by the city government in supporting the development of the information industry over the past several years.

The chip manufacturer has set its sights on helping promote Qingdao's information industry as a leading sector with its world-class technologies, contributing further to the progress of IC design and the information industry in the province and in China as a whole. The chairman said AMD is committed to growing together with the nation's information industry, which was, in the last few years, reflected in the partnership with several local governments, including Shandong province.

Yan Qijun confirmed AMD's development in the city. He said he hopes the American company's plans of providing technical support to the IT industry in Qingdao can be carried out smoothly.

"The provincial and city governments will make joint efforts to build a strong partnership with AMD and are ready to offer necessary policy support," he said. Last week's meeting with the city's Party secretary Yan also included Karen Guo, president of AMD Greater China, Wang Shujian, executive vice-mayor of Qingdao, and Liu Mingjun, director-general of Qingdao development and reform committee.