Yahoo Expanding R&D in China

BY LORETTA CHAO

BEIJING—Yahoo Inc. is aggressively expanding its China research and development operation, Chief Product Officer Blake Irving said in Beijing Wednesday, despite worsening tensions between the U.S. Internet company and the operator of its Chinese website, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

Yahoo added more than 100 people last year to its Beijing research and development center, and plans to continue hiring at a similar rate this year, Mr. Irving told reporters on a visit to the Chinese capital. He said the China R&D operation has "hundreds" of employees—he didn't specify a figure—and is Yahoo's third biggest after centers in California and Bangalore