Microsoft plans to set up a multi-million-dollar joint research and development centre in Beijing with China's leading computer maker Lenovo, the Chinese company said Wednesday. According to AFP, the investment involves several million dollars but the specific figure will vary according to the need of different projects in the cooperation between the two. Each party will hold 50 percent of the joint research and development centre.

The state-run China Daily said Wednesday that the facility will be in Lenovo's existing research base in Beijing, with around 40 engineers from Lenovo and equipment, training and some staff from Microsoft.

The partners will try to identify opportunities in the consumer and mobile markets such as digital photography, digital media and the Internet, the China Daily said, citing Craig Mundie, chief research and strategy officer at Microsoft.

Lenovo has about 30 percent of the PC market in China.