How AI boom has helped Microsoft keep a window open in China, a market that the company almost left nine years ago

Microsoft, which almost exited the market a decade ago, is using the global appetite for artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure services to stay in China amid heightened geopolitical tensions and more competition from local players. While competitors like Google exited the mainland market years ago over censorship and security concerns, Microsoft maintained deep connections with Chinese leadership and enterprise clients, as per a report by news agency Reuters.

However, corporate filings reveal that over the past five years, Microsoft has closed at least 15 branch offices and joint ventures across China.