Beijing, Dec 19 (IANS): Microsoft Thursday launched its first automobile industry innovation centre in Changchun, the capital of China's Jilin province.

The centre will focus on the research and development of auto information system technologies, cloud-based mobile internet solutions, and big data management and applications, said Ralph Haupter, Microsoft's chairman and chief executive officer for the Greater China region.

The Changchun Microsoft Innovation Centre will also promote the upgrade of the auto industry in the area, a major auto manufacturing base in China, Haupter said at the launch ceremony, Xinhua reported.

The centre's operations will adapt to four trends that will lead global development in the next decade: mobile, social networking, cloud computing, and big data, Haupter added.

Microsoft Innovation Centres are state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster collaboration on innovative research, technology and software solutions with the involvement of government, academic, and industry participants.