Microsoft announced on November 13 an investment of US$1 billion on R&D operations in China over the next three years, Reuters reported. It is further reported that the US$1 billion is earmarked for R&D staffing and resources, excepting merger and acquisition expenses, and does not include the US$300 million spent on the construction of Microsoft's new Beijing R&D center, which is slated for completion by 2010. The investment was announced at an event instating former Motorola Asia Pacific president Simon Leung as the new chairman and chief executive of Microsoft's China operations.