IBM Closes China R&D Labs, Lays Off Over 1,000 Employees

The tech giant shifts research functions to global offices amid changing strategic priorities and geopolitical tensions.

IBM is shutting down its research and development operations in China, affecting over 1,000 employees in Beijing, Shanghai, and Dalian.
The company is relocating its R&D functions to other global facilities, including those in Bengaluru, India.
IBM's decision aligns with a broader trend of multinational companies reducing their presence in China due to economic and regulatory challenges.
The company assures that these changes will not impact its ability to support clients in the Greater China region.
IBM has faced declining sales in China, with a 19.6% drop in revenue in 2023 and continued decreases this year.