Cummins Inc. further strengthened its engine research and development capability in China by officially opening its first technical center in central China's Wuhan City today, said the company in a statement. The East Asia Technical Center, a 55-45 joint venture between Cummins Inc. and Dongfeng Cummins Engine Company Limited (DCEC), will provide engineering and technical development services for the full range of Cummins products built in China, including diesel and natural gas engines, power generators, turbochargers and filtration products. DCEC is a 50-50 joint venture between Cummins and China's Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFM). John Watkins, President of Cummins East Asia, commented, "The East Asia Technical Center is crucial to our future growth in China because it enables Cummins and Dongfeng to respond to the engineering and product needs of local and international customers better, quicker and with less cost." The Center also allows both companies to better support future emissions standards for engines produced in China. A series of projects has already started in the Technical Center, including the development of new 13-liter engine platform for DCEC.