Apple to open second R&D centre in China

Technology giant Apple plans to open its second research and development centre in China's Shenzhen province.

During an unexpected appearance in Shenzen, Apple chief Tim Cook, on Tuesday announced  the company's second research and development centre in China.

The move comes as the iPhone maker looked to reverse falling sales and sort out regulatory issues in China.

Cook has visited the country several times this year and met with top government officials. In May, Apple invested $1 billion in Chinese ride-hailing service Didi Chuxing in a move to help it  better understand the Chinese market.

Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu who described Shenzen as an "incredibly vibrant city", wrote in an email that that the company would open the city's R&D center next year.

"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," Wu said in her mail.

She added that Apple was already supporting over 200,000 jobs ranging from advanced manufacturing to app development in Shenzhen.

According to commentators, Shenzen, which is a manufacturing centre is transforming itself into a tech hub as the world's second-largest economy looks to transition into a service and consumption-driven economy.

"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 partners," Cupertino-based Apple spokesman Josh Rosenstock said in emailed comments.

The Shenzhen Economic Daily, citing Cook said Apple sought to attract talented software developers in the city, which remained an important centre for manufacturing Apple products, Reuters reported.

It added that the meeting was also attended by Terry Gou, founder and chief executive of Apple's main supplier Foxconn.