IBM's business ties with China date back to 1934, when it installed the first business processor for Beijing Union Medical College Hospital. But not until 1979 did IBM come back to China, when the country started reform and opening up. That same year saw IBM install a medium computer for the Shenyang Blower Works, the first of its kind since the founding of the PRC.

With the deepening of reform and opening up, the IBM China sees a thriving business. In mid and late 1980's, IBM set up offices in Beijing and Shanghai. In 1992, IBM officially announced the establishment of IBM China Company Limited, its first solely funded enterprise in China. The move marks a substantial step in its China strategy, and turns over a new start in its China business. In 1993, IBM China established offices in Guangzhou and Shanghai. To date, IBM has had offices in 25 cities which has further expanded business in China. Along with its development, IBM also has an ever-growing work team, which has outnumbered 8,500 so far. In addition, IBM has also set up nine joint ventures and sole-funded companies in the sectors of manufacturing, software development, service and leasing.

IBM China's milestones 1993 – Go To China Initiative 1994 – PC Joint Venture with Great Wall 1995 – IBM China Research Lab, University Relationship program 1998 – IBM China Contact Center 1999 – IBM China Software Development Lab 2004 – Strategic Alliance with Lenovo 2005 – China System Center, Institute of Business Value, Global Resource Delivery Center, Center of Command and Technology Support, China Head Quarter of IGS 2006 -- IBM China Business Innovation Center           -- IBM SOA Solution Center           -- Global Procurement Headquarters moved to ShenZhen           -- China Fund, with Lehman Brother           -- New Global Deliver Center in Chengdu

DC Chien Chief Executive Officer IBM Greater China Group	Henry Chow Chairman IBM Greater China Group

Talking about IBM China, Lou Gerstner, former Chairman & CEO of IBM, was excited, "Having in mind the commitment it made to China, IBM has set up for the country the world's best IT company. Based in China, it serves the Chinese, and will serve the world some day in the future. IBM China will become China's IBM, and a part of the Chinese economy." Looking back to its growth in China, IBM has always had in mind the commitment it made to the country, from the strategic trial initial stage, to the strategic investment metaphase, and to the overall integration stage.

“IBM has been in China going back to our first office in Shanghai… And today we are deeply involved not as just a supplier of world-class technology, but as a partner and, I hope and believe, an asset here in the country.” ---Lou Gerstner	“It's not good enough to be viewed as the best foreign multinational company in China, you should want to be the best company in China." “If clients are going to trust you to help them transform, we have to operate in a way above and beyond criticism.” ---Sam Palmisano,

IBM always adhers to the principle of "From the society, back to society, and benefit human being". It offers a strong support to the cause of education and is actively involved in community activities in this country.
Its cooperation with Chinese colleges and universities dates back to 1984 when it donated computer equipment, hardware and software to the latter. The signing of a memorandum of understanding and cooperation with the Ministry of Education in March 1995 marks the official launch of cooperation with schools of higher learning. In its 12th year, the cooperative project is heading toward higher level, greater depth and broader scope, serving to promote the construction of specialties related to information technology and talent cultivation. Since 1995, IBM has donated RMB1.5-billion computer equipment, software and service to Chinese colleges and universities.

Partnership with 50+ leading universities
· Over 100 Joint Labs & Technology Centers
· 3 SW talents development bases
· 67 SUR programs with 24 universities
· Trained over 570,000 university students and 4,000 teachers; Certified 58,000 students
· Reinventing Education Program
· 300 primary schools in 20 cities

“KidSmart” Program
· 430 Kindergartens in 68 cities
· 2,350 sets of KidSmart computers
· Trained 7300+ teachers, benefited 100,000 children
· TryScience Around the World

Overall Goals:
    • Contribute to china's economic development for sustainable growth and social stability
    • Contribute to China's healthy integration within the 21st century global economy
    • Contribute to creating role-model global Chinese enterprises
    • Develop talent and capabilities necessary for collaborative innovation
    • Integrate IBM china's growing strengths with critical IBM global missions

Vision in 2010
    • A solutions and services leader able to solve clients’ most complex business problems
    • A SME-savvy leader who provides total solutions to clients, large and small
    • An outstanding employer of experts who solve complex problems
    • An employer who supports diversity
    • A strong value partner who enables Chinese partners to grow and win
    • A driving force in breeding future business and IT leaders in China
    • A leader in driving innovative programs to better serve the community

The press spoke highly of IBM's outstanding performance in and great contribution to China. IBM was rated Most Respected Companies in China, Most Respected Foreign Investor in China, Most Valuable Brands in China, Best Employers in China, so on and so forth. In 2004, it was rated by the Chinese version of Fortune as The Most Admired Companies in China, and ranked first. In 2005 and 2006, IBM won the honorable title of "Chinese Excellent Corporate Citizen" by the China Association of Social Workers, Committee of Corporate Citizenship.