Apple’s first R&D Center in China to open this year

Apple is setting up its first R&D center in China in Beijing’s Zhongguancun Science Park, according to a statement issued by the Zhongguancun Park Management Committee — and as noted by DigiTimes.

The R&D center — expected to be completed this year — has a registered capital of approximately US$14.994 million and will hire a total of 500 employees. DigiTimes says it will focus “on the development of computer software and hardware products, communication, audio and video devices, as well as advanced technologies for consumer electronics products and the information industry.” Plans for the center were first announced in August.

Zhongguancun, or Zhong Guan Cun, is a technology hub in the Haidian District of Beijing, China. It’s located in the northwestern part of the city and is often referred to as “China’s Silicon Valley.”

Apple has R&D centers in a number of countries, including France, Israel, Japan, Sweden and the UK.