Basel, Switzerland-based Syngenta (NYSE: SYT) said today it would build a new biotech research and technology center in Beijing, with plans to invest $65 million in the lab's first five years of activity.

The company said the Beijing center would focus on early-stage evaluation of genetically modified and native traits for key crops such as corn and soy in the areas of yield improvement, drought resistance, disease control and biomass conversion for biofuels.

"China is increasingly recognized for the scale and caliber of its biotech expertise in agriculture," said Dave Lawrence, head of research and development at Syngenta.

"Having our own research base in Beijing will accelerate innovation and offer powerful opportunities to work more closely with Chinese research institutes, which is all the more relevant now in a world that sees higher global demand for crops."

Syngenta has been expanding its partnerships in China recently, completing a deal earlier this month take a 49 percent stake in Chinese corn seeds company Sanbei Seed in Hebei.

Last year, Syngenta signed a five year research collaboration with the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology in Beijing for the development of novel agronomic traits for key crops such as corn, soybean, wheat, sugar beet and sugar cane.

The company said its new biotech research and technology center would be built in the Zhongguancun Life Science Park in Beijing.

Syngenta said the new facilities wouldn't be completed until 2010, but adjacent temporary facilities are expected to start operations this summer.

The company said the lab would initially employ 100 researchers and staff, increasing to 200 after the new building is complete.