Apple has again reached another milestone as it confirmed the opening of their second new research and development center located right at the heart of China's hardware manufacturing spot, Shenzhen. The plan for the company's expansion was announced while Chief Executive Tim Cook was visiting the city for a nationwide innovation event that took place at the Four Seasons Hotel last Oct. 11.

"We are excited to be opening a new Research and Development center here next year, so our engineering team can work even more closely and collaboratively with our manufacturing partners," a company spokeswoman said in an e-mailed statement.

"The Shenzhen center, along with the Beijing center, is also aimed at strengthening relationships with local partners and universities as we work to support talent development across the country," Apple's spokeswoman said.

The modern metropolis, Shenzhen is also referred to as China's Silicon Valley. This is where you'd find big time tech giants like Tencent, Huawei and Dajiang Innovation among others. Apple's new endeavor is aimed to strengthen relationships as well as to pave way for local talented software developers to its platform, the company told Reuters. It can also be perceived as the company's concern about its future in the country.

Indeed, Apple continues to grow and make its presence known globally. After opening their first research and development center in Beijing and now in Shenzhen, we know there's more to come. The company has already set up research and development centers in Japan, Israel and the U.K., and is also planning to build more in Canada, India and Vietnam, according to Macrumors.