CHANGCHUN, Dec. 19 -- Microsoft launched its first automobile industry innovation center in Changchun, capital city of northeast China's Jilin Province, on Thursday.

The center will focus on the research and development of auto information system technologies, cloud-based mobile Internet solutions, and big data management and applications, said Ralph Haupter, Microsoft's chairman and chief executive officer for the Greater China Region.

The Changchun Microsoft Innovation Center will also promote the upgrade of the auto industry in Changchun, a major auto manufacturing base in China, he said at the launch ceremony.

According to Haupter, the center's operations will adapt to four trends that will lead global development in the next decade: mobile, social networking, cloud computing and big data.

Microsoft Innovation Centers are state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster collaboration on innovative research, technology and software solutions with the involvement of government, academic and industry participants.