IBM, Chinese computer company reportedly set up server venture

MANHASSET, N.Y. — IBM and Chinese computer maker China Great Wall Computer Shenzhen Co. have set up a joint venture to produce server computers, according to an Associated Press report. The announcement came days after Lenovo Group, China's biggest computer maker, said it was buying IBM's personal computer business in deal worth $1.75 billion.In the latest deal, China Great Wall Computer Shenzhen Co. was quoted as saying its venture with IBM will be the Asian base for production of the U.S. computer giant's eServer xSeries. The venture also will produce OpenPower, a new server launched by IBM this year, Great Wall reportedly said. The companies didn't release financial details, but Great Wall will hold 20 percent of the venture, while IBM will own 80 percent, according to the report.Production at the joint venture is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2005, the newspaper China Securities Journal said Monday.