Siemens China has appointed Dr. Meng Fanchen as senior vice president of the German company and general manager of its Shanghai branch.

Meng is the first Chinese resident to be given a top managerial post in Siemens China. His appointment is considered a remarkable breakthrough for the company's local strategy.

Dr. Richard Hausmann, president and CEO of Siemens China, said he believed the Shanghai-born Meng will lead the company in market expansion and strengthening the long-term partnership with Shanghai.

Meng said Siemens China employs 12,000 staff in Shanghai and is ready to help upgrade the city's infrastructure for such major events as the 2010 World Expo.

With a total investment of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars, Siemens has set up 45 venture companies in China and opened offices in 53 Chinese cities. It is one of the largest foreign firms in China with over 36,000 employees. Shanghai is the center of Siemens China's business on the mainland.

Source: Xinhua