Microsoft Requests Some Employees in China to Relocate to Other Countries

Microsoft Requests Certain Employees in China to Relocate Abroad

Microsoft has requested certain employees in China to relocate to different countries.

According to reports from Chinese state media, Microsoft has asked at least 100 of its employees in China to contemplate moving to other countries.

This development occurs amidst worsening relations between Beijing and Washington, particularly concerning technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and clean energy.

Mostly involved in cloud computing, Microsoft employees were recently presented with the opportunity to work in countries such as the United States, Australia, or Ireland, as per a report from state-run outlet The Paper, which cited an unnamed source.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported that Microsoft had approached as many as 800 employees, predominantly engineers of Chinese nationality working on cloud computing and AI, to consider relocating. Last year, the Journal reported on the Biden administration's plans to restrict Chinese firms' access to US cloud services.

Established in China since 1992, Microsoft has long relied on its renowned Beijing-based research lab, Microsoft Research Lab Asia, to bolster its influence.

Employees affected by the relocation decision expressed confusion, as they were given less than a month to make their decision, as per The Paper.

Yicai, a Chinese state-owned financial media outlet, reported that over 100 employees were affected, noting that individuals had the option to decline the move.

These reports emerge in the same week that President Joe Biden announced tariffs on imports worth $18 billion of Chinese electric vehicles and various other products, aiming to counteract unfair competition from China and safeguard US industries.

The ongoing tech rivalry between the two economic giants has been escalating for years. In October, the Biden administration restricted the types of semiconductors that American companies could sell to China.

In the past few months, the United States has garnered support from its European and Asian allies to limit the sale of advanced chipmaking equipment to China.

In retaliation, Beijing has imposed restrictions on the export of germanium and gallium, two crucial elements used in semiconductor production.