Apple Inc. established a South China regional operations center in Shenzhen, positioning it as the South China regional hub and a procurement center covering South China and Southeast Asia. In February 2016, the project was located in Shekou Net Valley, Nanshan District. It serves as the command headquarters and dispatch center to enhance Apple’s online and offline sales channels, with main businesses encompassing five major sectors: supply chain management, operations, research and development, online sales, and offline retail. In October 2016, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the establishment of a research and development center in Shenzhen. This R&D center primarily engages in product design, reliability testing, product verification, compliance, materials and technology development, and global project management. Apple's Shenzhen R&D center has already formed strategic partnerships with several well-known domestic companies, including Foxconn, MYS, OFILM, Sunway Communication, and others.