"Digital health is a new market for Neusoft and Intel. I believe our efforts will help improve health care and make breakthroughs in the field," said Liu.

Intel, the chip maker, established the Digital Health Platforms Group last year to apply its chips and technologies to the global health care business.

Renee James, vice-president of Intel Corp and general manager of Intel's Software and Solutions Group, said yesterday: "The co-operation with Neusoft will benefit both Intel and Neusoft in digital healthcare. It will help Neusoft shorten its research and development cycle and improve its global marketing, backed by Intel's core technology and global marketing capabilities."

She said Intel will help Neusoft, one of the China's largest software exporters, distribute its products across the world with Intel Corp's sound global sales networks.

Market analysts said Neusoft's marriage to Intel Corp highlighted its tactic of expanding in the domestic and global markets through forging partnerships with multinational IT companies.

In May, Neusoft agreed to sell around 3 per cent of its stake to SAP China, a subsidiary of Germany-based software and solutions provider SAP AG, for 10 million euros (US$12.8 million).

SAP China also signed a separate agreement with Neusoft under which Neusoft will expand its training offerings for SAP software in China.

Neusoft will develop and distribute micro-vertical solutions built upon SAP Best Practices and designed for small- and mid-sized enterprises in China's manufacturing industries.

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