Dalian, September 9:

US computer chip giant Intel Corp has begun to build its first chipset plant in Asia, which involves $2.5 billion in the first stage of investment.

Intel chairman Craig Barrett Saturday attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the plant, which is located in the Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone in northeast China.

Barrett said at the ceremony that Intel chose Dalian because it was a perfectly suitable location for the plant.

“Intel will use its advanced equipment and technology to build an environment-friendly computer chip factory in the city, and promote the semiconductor manufacturing industry in China,” he said.

Steel structures and other framework have been in place at the factory covering 160,000 square metres.