AST Research to Open Computer Manufacturing Plant in China

AST Research Inc. said Wednesday it plans to open a computer manufacturing plant in China.

AST, which has sold computers there for five years, said it decided it needed to manufacture computers there to be a long-term player.

The new plant, a joint venture with the Chinese government, will be in Tianjin, a town south of Beijing. AST, based in Irvine, already has manufacturing facilities in Fountain Valley, Hong Kong, Taiwan and, with its July acquisition of the computer manufacturing operations of Tandy Corp., in Texas and Scotland.

The official announcement of the China project is scheduled for Sept. 9. AST has invited 500 people to the ground-breaking ceremony.

AST officials said they do not know whether the deal would be affected by a U.S. government decision on Wednesday to impose economic sanctions on China and Pakistan for alleged violation of international arms control treaties governing the export of sensitive missile technology.