Microsoft said on Thursday it had joined Hewlett-Packard to set up a research and development centre in Taiwan and tap the island's strength in information technology. Taiwan's IT industry is its biggest earner and largest exporter, last year bringing in revenue of around 100 billion US dollars.
It is home to Acer Inc, the world's third largest branded personal computer vendor, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the biggest contract microchip maker.