During his latest trip to Beijing, Apple CEO Tim Cook said Apple is preparing to build its first Asia-Pacific research and development center in China, Reuters reports. The move comes as demand for the iPhone has plunged in China amid the government’s efforts to tighten its grip on Apple’s business, increasing scrutiny of the company’s App Store operations and shutting down iBook and iTunes movie sales. Despite the difficulties, Apple has continued to invest in the country, recently sinking $1 billion into China’s Didi Chuxing ride-hailing service, enabling that company to buy out Uber’s Chinese operations. Cook told Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli that the new R&D facility will be built by the end of the year, according to official Chinese state media.
Apple announces new R&D facility to be located in China
By Dan Pye
Dan Pye
Dan Pye was a news editor at iLounge. He's been involved with technology his whole life, and started writing about it in 2009. He's written about everything from iPhone and iPad cases to Apple TV accessories.