IBM plans to increase its mainland China operation by at least 10 percent annually for the next few years.

Big Blue has more than 10,000 people on contract in mainland China, and Henry Chow, Chairman of IBM Greater China Group, told Reuters he wants to increase the headcount by 10 percent a year for the next few years.

IBM had 22 branch offices in China at the end of last year and hopes to raise that number to 26 this year, IBM representatives said.