CWeek published an engaging four page story on Microsoft Research Asia’s development over the years, including the vast achievements it has made and the great amount of talents that it has attracted. The four successive managing directors of Microsoft Research Asia are introduced, including Kai-Fu Lee, Ya-Qin Zhang, Harry Shum, and Hsiao-Wuen Hon, with their incredible abilities and strengths in leading the institute highlighted. Areas of focus are included, specifically Internet search. Two entire pages are dedicated to describing the various projects at Microsoft Research Asia.

On Oct. 30, Rick Rashid, Senior Vice President of Microsoft, officially announced the appointing of Hsiao-Wuen Hon as Managing Director of Microsoft Research Asia, succeeding Harry Shum. The article states that with 1500 research papers published, over 200 product technologies transferred, the nine year old Microsoft Research Asia is by all means a talent treasure chest, as is the rest of Microsoft. Currently, Microsoft Research Asia has 350 employees and 350 interns. Hsiao-Wuen Hon reveals that the institute will focus primarily on three areas in the next decade, including user interface, Internet search, and research 2.0, with much confidence in success. Harry Shum will continue to contribute to the institute by giving his aid from headquarters in the U.S. As for Microsoft’s competition with Google, Harry confidently believes that they have already surpassed Google in many vertical search areas, including video search. Though Microsoft entered the search business later than competitors, its leaders are confident that with patience and persistence, they will surely surge forward quickly. Rick believes that “Microsoft’s most important concern is how to bring the best services and software experiences to clients.” A description of each of the four successive Microsoft Research Asia Managing Directors is given, with their incredible abilities stated. Under such leadership, the institute will no doubt progress quickly and greatly contribute to China’s industry.