蘋果擬在華設立第二個研發中心
Apple is to open a research lab in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, according to Tim Cook, its chief executive, as it seeks to boost sales in the country and improve ties with the authorities.
據蘋果(Apple)首席執行官蒂姆•庫克(Tim Cook)介紹，蘋果將在中國南方城市深圳開設一個研發實驗室。目前蘋果試圖提振在中國的銷售，並改善與中國當局之間的關係。
Beijing has been encouraging foreign technology companies to carry out more high-end work on the mainland as part of efforts to revitalise local industry.
中國政府一直在鼓勵外國高科技企業在中國內地開展更高端的工作，作爲振興國內產業努力的一部分。
It will be Apple’s second facility in China. It already has a new research and development facility in Beijing.
該實驗室將是蘋果在中國建立的第二個研究機構。蘋果在北京已經有了一個新的研發機構。
The two R&D centres were “aimed at strengthening relationships with local partners and universities as we work to support talent development across the country”, Apple said in a statement.
蘋果在一份聲明中表示，“在我們在中國各地努力支持人才發展之際，（兩個研發中心）旨在加強與當地合作伙伴和大學的聯繫”。
A closer relationship with the Chinese authorities has been a priority following setbacks for the US technology company this year.
這家美國高科技企業在今年遭遇多起挫折後，改善與中國當局的關係成了首要任務。
It lost a copyright infringement lawsuit against a Chinese company that was using the iPhone trademark on accessories.
該公司輸掉了一宗侵犯版權的法律訴訟，被告是一家在配飾產品上使用IPHONE商標的中國企業。
A block on the group’s iTunes video service, meanwhile, appears to have been relaxed.
與此同時，對該集團iTunes視頻服務的屏蔽似乎已經放鬆。
The iPhone has been losing market share to high-end handsets made by local competitors including Huawei, Vivo and Oppo, which topped the rankings in the second quarter, while Apple languished in fifth place, according to Canalys data.
根據Canalys的數據，iPhone一直在被中國國內競爭對手生產的高端手機奪走市場份額。這些競爭對手包括華爲(Huawei)、Vivo和Oppo，它們在第二季度的銷量排名中名列前三，而蘋果則落到了第五位。
Analysts said the announcement of the R&D centre was Mr Cook’s latest attempt to gain favour with Beijing, following the US group’s $1bn investment in Didi Chuxing, the Chinese car-hailing company, in May.
分析師們表示，宣佈設立該研發中心是庫克贏得中國政府好感的最新企圖。此前，這家美國集團曾在今年5月向中國叫車軟件公司滴滴出行(Didi Chuxing)投資10億美元。
Apple has had to change its approach in China as it faces rising nationalism and high-quality local competition, according to Ge Jia, a tech blogger, who wrote yesterday: “It’s time for Apple to cast aside their pride.”
技術博主葛佳（音）稱，面對日益高漲的民族主義及高品質的中國國內競爭，蘋果不得不改變在中國的運營方式。昨天，葛佳寫道：“蘋果是時候放下架子了。”
“Their previous strategy of only selling devices to China without leaving anything behind is not working any more and they are starting their process of localisation in China through [the Shenzhen lab].”
“他們此前只在中國賣設備、而不留下其他任何東西的戰略不再有效。他們正通過（深圳的實驗室）啓動在中國的本地化進程。”
Mr Cook announced the plan during discussions with senior city officials at a local innovation event, according to a report in the Shenzhen Economic Daily.
根據《深圳商報》的一則報道，庫克是在當地一個創新活動中與深圳市高官磋商時宣佈該計劃的。
