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.

据苹果(Apple)首席执行官蒂姆•库克(Tim Cook)介绍，苹果将在中国南方城市深圳开设一个研发实验室。目前苹果试图提振在中国的销售，并改善与中国当局之间的关系。

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.

中国政府一直在鼓励外国高科技企业在中国内地开展更高端的工作，作为振兴国内产业努力的一部分。

It will be Apple’s second facility in China. It already has a new research and development facility in Beijing.

该实验室将是苹果在中国建立的第二个研究机构。苹果在北京已经有了一个新的研发机构。

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.

苹果在一份声明中表示，“在我们在中国各地努力支持人才发展之际，（两个研发中心）旨在加强与当地合作伙伴和大学的联系”。

A closer relationship with the Chinese authorities has been a priority following setbacks for the US technology company this year.

这家美国高科技企业在今年遭遇多起挫折后，改善与中国当局的关系成了首要任务。

It lost a copyright infringement¹ lawsuit² against a Chinese company that was using the iPhone trademark³ on accessories.

该公司输掉了一宗侵犯版权的法律诉讼，被告是一家在配饰产品上使用IPHONE商标的中国企业。

A block on the group’s iTunes video service, meanwhile, appears to have been relaxed.

与此同时，对该集团iTunes视频服务的屏蔽似乎已经放松。

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 languished⁴ in fifth place, according to Canalys data.

根据Canalys的数据，iPhone一直在被中国国内竞争对手生产的高端手机夺走市场份额。这些竞争对手包括华为(Huawei)、Vivo和Oppo，它们在第二季度的销量排名中名列前三，而苹果则落到了第五位。

Analysts⁵ 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.

分析师们表示，宣布设立该研发中心是库克赢得中国政府好感的最新企图。此前，这家美国集团曾在今年5月向中国叫车软件公司滴滴出行(Didi Chuxing)投资10亿美元。

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.”

技术博主葛佳（音）称，面对日益高涨的民族主义及高品质的中国国内竞争，苹果不得不改变在中国的运营方式。昨天，葛佳写道：“苹果是时候放下架子了。”

“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].”

“他们此前只在中国卖设备、而不留下其他任何东西的战略不再有效。他们正通过（深圳的实验室）启动在中国的本地化进程。”

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.

根据《深圳商报》的一则报道，库克是在当地一个创新活动中与深圳市高官磋商时宣布该计划的。