Apple establishes 2nd R&D center in China

Tim Cook visits an Apple Store in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province, on Oct 12, 2016.[Photo by Chai Hua/chinadaily.com.cn]

Apple Inc will set up its second China research and development center in Shenzhen next year, shortly after it established a R&D center in Beijing, which highlights the importance of the China market to the US tech giant.

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the plan on Tuesday during his visit to Shenzhen, the southern Chinese manufacturing hub and innovation center.

Apple said in an email statement to China Daily: "The Shenzhen center, along with the Beijing center, is also aimed at strengthening relationships with local partners and universities as we work to support talent development across the country. We are excited to be opening a new Research and Development center here next year so our engineering team can work even more closely and collaboratively with our manufacturing partner.”

"Shenzhen is an incredibly vibrant city where we are proud to support over 200,000 jobs between advanced manufacturing and the growing App economy."

The company did not disclose the investment size of the new venture. Tim Cook is scheduled to attend an entrepreneurship forum in Shenzhen on Wednesday where he will talk with Premier Li Keqiang.

Earlier this month the local government said on an official Wechat account that Apple has set up its first China research and development center in Wangjing area of Beijing, with registered capital of 100 million yuan ($14.99 million).

The R&D unit will have about 500 employees and its total investment will eventually reach 300 million yuan.

Apple is currently wrestling with tumbling smartphone sales and mounting competition from local rivals in China, the world's largest smartphone arena.