Rest of World interviews Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, Founding Executive Director of the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations, regarding Microsoft China's decision to relocate a large number of employees

Rest of World interviewed Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, Founding Executive Director of the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations, on July 23, 2024 regarding Microsoft’s decision to relocate a large number of employees outside of China. The story probed what had brought Microsoft to China and what was driving its decision to adjust its employment there at a time when it faced increasing Congressional pressures in the US. Viola Zhou, the author of the story, reached out to Dr. Blanchard about the factors luring Softee to China. He noted that Microsoft maintained a strong presence in the mainland not just because of the market but also because China offered individuals with considerable talent and networks. The piece further examined the tough questions facing employees that might have to relocate, the (un)attractiveness of prospective relocation venues, and some of the uncertainties associated with migrating abroad.

The full story appears in Viola Zhou, “Microsoft’s China-Based AI Staff Face Relocation Decision Deadline,” Rest of World, July 23, 2024, https://restofworld.org/2024/microsoft-china-ai-engineer-relocation. Copyright remains with the original holder.