McDonald's Fast Food said Monday it will move its China headquarters from Hong Kong to Shanghai early next year.

The move will help McDonald's strategically expand its fast-growing market in China, said Eric Foo, general manager of McDonald's China headquarters.

He explained that the move can not only help set up closer relationship with the consumers on the Chinese mainland but also create a closer connection between the headquarters and its local management.

Shanghai's specific geographic location, as well as its status as a financial center and "fashion capital," will also help expand its "brand strategy" and marketing plan across the country, according to the manager.

McDonald's opened its first Chinese restaurant in 1990. It now has more than 620 restaurants with an investment of 500 million US dollars in China. The Chinese mainland has become the largest potential market of McDonald's with an annually-increasing revenue, said Foo.

Source: Xinhua