Foreign tech firms launch R&D centers in wider range of cities

Suzhou, Xi'an, Chongqing and Chengdu among hottest locations because of favorable conditions

Foreign technology companies are moving into second-tier cities and developing research centers after taking advantage of preferential policies.

A report released on Tuesday by Gartner Inc, the United States-based information technology research company, showed that "clusters" of tech firms have set up shop away from first-tier cities.