BEIJING, Aug 26 (Reuters) - IBM ( IBM ) will completely

shutter its China R&D, with resulting layoffs affecting over

1,000 jobs, Chinese media outlet Yicai reported on Monday,

citing a statement from the company.

IBM ( IBM ), the world's biggest technology services company, did

not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The decision comes amid the company's struggles with falling

demand for its hardware and challenges in growth markets like

China.