BEIJING - If you were the big boss of a world renowned technology firm, where would you send your potential successor? For Paul Otellini, chief executive officer of the world's biggest chip maker Intel Corp, the answer is China.

Intel announced on Tuesday that it has appointed Executive Vice-President Sean Maloney the chairman of Intel China. Many industry insiders believe he could eventually take the helm as CEO.

Maloney, who returned to work in January after recovering from a stroke 15 months ago, will be responsible for overseeing the company's strategy for China, Intel said.

"This is a newly created position, which reflects Intel's focus on the Chinese market," said Susan Qian, spokeswoman for Intel China. "As far as I know, there is no other major technology firm that has such a position."

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Qian said Maloney's first priority will be to focus on developing and overseeing implementation of a company-wide strategy for Intel's long-term success in China.

He'll also focus on accelerating its leadership development pipeline in China to groom future senior leaders, she said.

The 56 year-old senior Intel executive will head a market that the world's biggest chip maker cannot afford to lose.

Analysts have predicted that China will overtake the United States next year to become the world's biggest computer market, in which Intel gains most of its revenue at present by selling chips.

The country is also vitally important for mobile devices, in which Intel faces serious challengers such as Qualcomm Inc.

"The importance of China is becoming primary in the industry," said Simon Ye, an analyst with the research firm Gartner Inc.

He said mobile devices such as tablet computers have grown faster than initial expectations, especially in China. "In that sense, Intel needs to intensify its presence in the mobile world, where it has been lagging," he said.

China is the world's biggest telecom market in terms of mobile subscribers and has the world's biggest Internet population.

With mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers becoming more powerful and easier to use, Intel's dominant position in the computer industry has faced increasing challenges as consumers become more attracted to products such as Apple Inc's iPhones and iPads.

According to Intel, Maloney has been a key steward of its WiMAX participation and investment as well as its push into supporting mobile computing.

He was also one of two executive vice-presidents running Intel's main chip business, reporting directly to Otellini.

It is unclear whether Maloney's position as a CEO candidate was affected by his stroke last year.

On March 1, 2010 Intel announced that Maloney had suffered a stroke, which left him unable to speak. He went on medical leave and returned to work in January, having regained much of his capacity for speech.

According to figures from Intel, the Asia-Pacific region provided $7.26 billion, 56 percent, of the company's revenue in the first quarter, compared with 21 percent in the Americas. Intel doesn't provide a breakdown for the Chinese market.

Maloney joined Intel in 1982. He has worked directly under former CEO Andrew Grove and spent several years working in the European and Asian markets.

Intel China is currently headed by Ian Young. The company said on Tuesday that Maloney's appointment will not affect the current organization of Intel China.