Cisco Systems Inc. has announced a restructuring of its Asia Pacific and Japan division and said its Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan units, formerly parts of the Asia Pacific division, will form an independent Greater China division.

Effective February 2010, the company will create three divisions. Apart from the new Grater China division, the remaining countries in Asia Pacific will form the Asia Pacific division and its Japanese operations will continue as the Japan division.

The new Greater China division will be led by Owen Chan, president and CEO for Greater China, reporting to Robert Lloyd, executive vice president for Cisco's worldwide operations. Chan joined Cisco in 1999 and has been president of Cisco's Asia Pacific region for the past five years. For his new role, he will be relocating from Hong Kong to Beijing.

Jim Sherriff, as chairman for Cisco Greater China, will continue in his role of developing and leading Cisco's cross-functional execution of the company's overall China strategy, including government affairs, supply chain, product development, corporate affairs, corporate development and strategic alliances.

Thomas Lam will report to Sherriff as vice chairman and be responsible for developing cross-functional strategies for Cisco's corporate social responsibility, corporate affairs, and university relations in Greater China.

At present, Cisco's revenue from Japan, Asia Pacific, and Greater China accounts for about 15% of its global revenue.