Chinese media, government confirms Apple research center in Beijing tech corridor

According to Chinese media, Apple is launching its first research and development center in the country, located in long-time technology incubation area Zhongguancun Science Park, Beijing.

While Apple has yet to comment on the matter, a statement issued by the Zhongguancun Park Management Committee to several Chinese media outlets has identified Apple's presence in the area.

According to reports collated by Digitimes, the center has a budget of about $15 million, with a long-term expenditure goal of $45 million over the next few years. The center is allegedly seeking to hire around 500 workers, with no particular focus beyond Apple products and software.

The move mirrors similar setups in Japan, and Israel. The recently centers in India appear to specialize more on coding aspects.

Zhongguancun is a technology hub situated in Haidian District, Beijing, China. The central government of China's official name for the area is the "Zhongguancun Science & Technology Zone."

The area also houses China headquarters and research centers for AMD, Google, Intel, Lenovo, Oracle, and Sony.

9 Comments

macxpress 5910 comments · 16 Years

About 8 years ago

Does Apple really want to keep investing in China? Seems like they're your friend one day and totally against you the next. I don't think putting a research center there will fix that issue. If China wants to tomorrow, they'll drop the hammer on Apple, even if its for something absurd. And, I don't mean that Apple should be able to do anything they want in China. Apple is a perfect company and they can do things wrong and should be punished for it just like anyone else. But it just seems like Apple isn't appreciated there sometimes for what they've done. They aren't always treated what I think its fair.

gatorguy 24608 comments · 13 Years

About 8 years ago

macxpress said:

Does Apple really want to keep investing in China? Seems like they're your friend one day and totally against you the next. I don't think putting a research center there will fix that issue. If China wants to tomorrow, they'll drop the hammer on Apple, even if its for something absurd.

There's thousands of US companies with an R&D presence in China. For the most part they feel that IP enforcement has become much more fair over the past 5 years. That's a plus. Where they are very concerned is with a relatively recent uptick in Chinese antitrust actions against Western companies. About a third of those companies surveyed recently cited Chinese protectionism as a growing and serious challenge to their businesses in mainland China. It's certainly possible that Apple could find itself under the antitrust microscope if they don't play their cards right.

revenant 610 comments · 15 Years

About 8 years ago

China has asked apple for their source code more than once. I hope they are not bringing it with them, a raid and confiscation would all they would need.

wood1208 2930 comments · 10 Years

About 8 years ago

This is how China has screwed American and other companies. Low tech, let general Chinese companies copy and high end tech, government inspired hack and steal to handover to their high tech companies copy. No matter which way you look at, you are screwed in China.