Chinese state media has reported that Microsoft has asked at least 100 of its employees in China to move to other countries including Australia and US.
The reports follows deterioration between Beijing and Washington over technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and clean energy.
The number of employees received the offer didn’t specified as Microsoft spokesperson talked to CNN yesterday.
“Providing internal opportunities is a regular part of managing our global business. As part of this process, we shared an optional internal transfer opportunity with a subset of employees,” Microsoft spokesperson said.
Though, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that Microsoft asked as many as 800 employees to consider relocating.
Microsoft started to operate in China in 1992 and has counted on its well-known Beijing-based research lab, Microsoft Research Lab Asia, to help it build influence.