The U.S. General Electric Co. (GE) launched its first innovation center in Sichuan Province on May 30.

The center, located in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, is the first of its kind in China, specially designed for consumers and GE engineers to jointly develop new products and solve technical problems. There are more than 30 labs in the center, including a brainstorming office, product applicable simulation office, and development and observation office. In the preliminary stage the center will focus on medical treatment, energy, transportation, telecommunications and power industry.

At the end of 2010, GE promised to invest $2 billion to expand its technical innovative capability in China. And of that investment, GE has invested $80 million in the innovation center for its construction, labor force and operations.