Last year, Microsoft launched its Unlimited Potential program in China. It followed the company's previous commitments in investment and donations to support information and communications technology in the country's compulsory education system.

Last month, Microsoft announced it would increase its China activities by donating two fully equipped Info-Wagons, launch a Family Education PC program for rural communities in Beijing's Miyun County and provide digital literacy content and training in libraries and iCafes across the remote western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

In June, Gates left his day-to-day role in Microsoft and now serves as the company's chairman and advisor on key development projects.

With more focus on the global health and education work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Seattle native said its China activities would work on finding partnerships to work together to reduce poverty in Africa, and help with China's health care industry on preventing infectious disease such as HIV AIDS and tuberculosis, among others.