Chinese Media, Government Confirm Apple Research Center in Beijing Tech Corridor

An anonymous reader writes: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.

China will steal all the IP and Trade Secrets

[Raisey-raison]

Given what is known about China and how they literally have pulled the biggest heist since in human history I do not understand why Apply is doing this. The annual losses in IP that the US experiences are comparable to the current annual level of U.S. exports to Asia—over $300 billion. According to the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property, If IP were to receive the same protection overseas that it does here, the American economy would add millions of jobs. Countless companies have

Labelling will have to change

[mewsenews]

"Designed by Apple in California - Assembled in China" will have to become "Made in China"

Re:

[thoughtlover]

I don't see Sir Jonathan Paul "Jony" Ive moving to China anytime soon.

Besides, "Designed in California" is Apple's way of making people think their shiny, Apple product is made in the USA.

Research Centers are Low-Risk for Apple

[drinkypoo]

You run the risk of industrial espionage anywhere, but Apple sells products based not upon superiority but cachet. Thus, the risk is not lower for them, only the penalty.

If you're not actually building manufacturing facilities then there's no risk of losing your massive capitol outlay.

On the other hand, Apple will probably insensibly insist upon building their own campus while there's plenty of empty office space already.

Remember the 80s and Japan?

[ErichTheRed]

I'm just barely old enough to remember the time in the 80s when everyone was scared to death that Japan was going to take over the US. They had just come into their own as a high-tech manufacturing powerhouse -- even Back to the Future had a classic line where 1950s Doc Brown scoffed at an IC made in Japan and Marty corrected him saying "All the best stuff is made in Japan!" Towards the end of the 80s, Japanese companies started making some very high profile US acquisitions, including buying lots of expensi

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:

[rogoshen1]

Having been the bay area, I'd say about 50% of the population speaks mandarin natively. =/

Hiring 500 People...

[bezenek]

...on a budget of $15 million?

Let's say you pay everyone $10,000/year. We'll figure a conservative 200% overhead on an employee for office space, equipment, paper, insurance, etc., so $30,000/employee/year. For 500 employees, that's $15 million/year.

Apple's a pretty smart company.