[throwaway1979]

Can you elaborate? Is this some kind of xenophohia like we see in other parts of the world? Or is it they want to learn how to do everything in the entire vertical chain (with a focus towards moving up the value chain)? Or something else entirely?

I see Chinese tech companies open up R&D shops in North America, and I'm curious what they really want out of it.

[seanmcdirmid]

The markets they are going after is domestic, the primary language even at my branch of an American company (Microsoft China) is Chinese. It is not a place where multiculturalism is common or especially appreciated. A few foreigners get hired here and there, but it's not very common at all.

If they really want foreign employees, they probably think setting up shop abroad is the only way to do it.