Communications equipment maker Motorola said it will invest $90 million to set up a new research company in Beijing, SARS or no SARS.

Despite U.S. travel advisories cautioning against visits to countries such as China that have been hit by the severe acute respiratory syndrome, Mike Zafirovski, Motorola president and chief operating officer, made a one-day stop in the mainland to announce the investment last Saturday.

On top of the initial $90 million investment, the company said in a statement that its new research center will also spend $500 million on manpower and equipment over the next five years.

"My presence here demonstrates both Motorola's concern for its employees as well as our confidence in China's ability to fight the spread of SARS," said Zafirovski.

Motorola had closed its Beijing office at the end of April because an employee came down with the illness. It was scheduled to reopen the office Monday.

Like many technology companies, Motorola sees China as an enticing locale in which to both build and sell products.

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