ASUSTeK Computer will invest $25 million into a facility that will produce print circuit boards in mainland China, DigiTimes web-site reported citing Taiwanese authorities. This will be ASUS’ second manufacturing site in China.

According to the report, the investment plan had been approved by the Taiwan Investment Commission under the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The fab in Shanghai will be larger than the company’s facility in Suzhou and will be operated by ASUS’ new China subsidiary Protek Computer. The new manufacturing site is reported to make print circuit boards for various needs.

Construction of a new plant will start immediately after the company determines the location of the site next quarter and the first phase of construction is expected to be completed in 2005, DigiTimes reported.

ASUS’ move is in-line with the company’s plans to gradually expand manufacturing facilities in an attempt to become the world’s leading maker of mainboards and notebooks.

ASUSTeK Computer presently has a 540 000 square meter fab located in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. The fab is used by five of ASUS’ subsidiaries for manufacturing a broad family of ASUS’ products, including mainboards.