Facing the future, persisting in independent innovation and establishing a national brand is Tencent's long-term development plan. At present, more than 60% employees of Tencent are R&D personnel. Tencent has a considerable number of patent applications in the fields of instant messaging, e-commerce, online payment, search engine, information security and games. In 2007, Tencent invested over 100 million yuan to set up the first Internet research institute in China in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, and independently developed the core basic technologies of the Internet. Tencent's independent innovation work has entered all aspects of enterprise development, operation and sales. Tencent is gradually embarking on the road of national industry development with independent innovation.
Becoming the most respected Internet company is Tencent's long-term goal. Therefore, Tencent has been actively participating in public welfare undertakings, striving to assume corporate social responsibility and advocating network civilization. In 2006, Tencent established Tencent Charity Foundation, the first Internet charity foundation in China, and established Tencent Charity Network, focusing on assisting youth education, developing poverty-stricken areas, caring for vulnerable groups and providing disaster relief and poverty alleviation. At present, Tencent has successively launched a number of public welfare projects throughout the country. Tencent is striving to contribute to building a "harmonious society" and become an excellent corporate citizen.