Apple unveils $50 million R&D centre in China

Apple has announced the launch of its first directly invested research and development centre in China. It has invested $50 million to develop advanced technologies for the centre.

The centre is located at the Zhongguancun Science Park Administrative Committee. It will employee 500 employees, and will focus on developing computer hardware, communications, audio and video equipment, consumer electronics technology and information technology.

It was established with a registered capital of 100 million RMB ($16 million) while the total investment is close to 300 million RMB ($50 million).

Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, visited China for the ninth time in August this year during which he promised to increase investment in the country, and announced plans to set up the research and development centre by the end of 2016. He underlined that he would actively participate in China's "Internet Plus" movement.

According to statistics released last month by Counterpoint Research, Apple dropped to the fifth place in China's mobile market in the first quarter, after Huawei, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi, which secured 53% of combined market share.

-PTI