Microsoft may invest $10 million in Shanghai-listed Bright Oceans, news site Pacific Epoch reported today, citing an announcement by Bright Oceans on Monday night.

Bright Oceans is a telecom support and services provider with partnerships with all of China's major telecom operators. Its foreign partners include IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, Oracle, Siemens, Nortel and Lucent.

Slogans on the company's Web site attest to glorious ambitions: "Common Goal, Defined Target, Mutual Criticism, Joint Endeavor for Great Cause" and "Making Outstanding Contributions to Make China More Prosperous." Hmm... I'm picturing that on a bright red banner.

If the deal goes through, it could help Microsoft move into China's 3G market.
China has pledged to start providing 3G services in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and 3G licenses are expected to be issued this year.

Last month Microsoft made an investment in China, announcing it would pay $12.3 million for a one percent stake in TV maker Changhong.

That deal allows Changhong to receive advanced IT and software from Microsoft to develop digital TV sets and other products, in exchange for helping Microsoft develop its business in China.