Apple mulls R&D center

Move part of effort to regain market share lost to local rivals MA SI

Apple Inc will set up a research and development center in China by the end of this year - its first independently-operated one in the Asia-Pacific region - as part of its efforts to regain market share it is losing to local rivals.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said on Tuesday that the US tech giant would step up its investments in China and be an active part in promoting the country's smart manufacturing and Internet Plus strategy, which are designed to advance the use of the internet in traditional industries.