'Go global' is new tech mantra

In this story: Policy of engagement Going after the world All targets on China RELATED STORIES, SITES

By CNN's Kristie Lu Stout

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Put four of the world's top tech visionaries on a soapbox and they mutter the same mantra -- "go global."

Audio Levin on AOL Time Warner's expansion strategy 496KB/45 sec AIFF or WAV sound    Audio Dell on global market share 335KB/31 sec AIFF or WAV sound

Commitment to worldwide expansion was the prevailing theme of a round-table discussion featuring Dell, Yahoo!, Computer Associates and AOL Time Warner on the second day of the Fortune Global Forum in Hong Kong.

"We have to look at our global interests," said AOL Time Warner chief executive Jerry Levin. "But we don't want to engage in American cultural imperialism."

Policy of engagement

Levin drew an example from an old economy arm of the media giant to illustrate how multinational companies should approach global expansion.

"In music for example, it's about working with local companies to develop local talent. That's the model that should be applied -- to look at it as a citizen of the world."

Computer Associates chairman Charles Wang agreed with the pitch of exercising "engagement" when approaching new markets.

"Engage local technology and have that spread," said Wang. "We have to all grow together."

Going after the world

But Michael Dell, the chairman and chief executive of Dell Computer, conveyed a more aggressive global strategy.

"We're number-one in the U.S. in the server market and now we're going after the world," said Dell.

Later on Wednesday, Dell plans to travel to the coastal city of Xiamen to open the company's second assembly plant.

Dell told reporters that gaining market share in China was one of the PC maker's top priorities.

All targets on China

Yesterday, a panel of top business leaders on the first day of the conference nodded in agreement that their companies should ignore the global economic slowdown and expand aggressively, especially in the China market.

Mobile telecommunication giant Nokia will continue to invest heavily in China, said chief executive Jorma Ollila.

The Finland-based Nokia has invested $1.7 billion in the mainland market.

AOL's Levin also sang praises of the expansion possibilities in the P.R.C.

"In China, the opportunity to build broadband directly to the home doesn't get caught up with historical developments or antiquated solutions."

Nearing the end of the discussion, Levin hinted that AOL Time Warner would take its shopping spree to a global level and further bulk up its media and technology assets.

"We have an articulated policy to make sure substantial growth comes from around the world. You can be sure we will be acquisition-aggressive around the world."

The Fortune Global Forum is organized by Fortune magazine, a unit of AOL Time Warner. CNN is also a division of AOL Time Warner.

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