The Apple facility in Shanghai is a center for supply chain management, rather than previously reported research and development center, Tencent Tech reported, citing a source close to the matter.

Contacts in Apple China’s marketing department told Tencent Tech that the Shanghai department is not research related and CEO Tim Cook has not promised that any research and development centers will be built in China.

The source said the new facility is to strengthen Apple’s management over its supply chain in China and has started to recruit high-level talent in the supply chain field in Shanghai.

The site selection of the new facility did personally involve Cook, the source added.

According to Apple, the company has 17 factories manufacturing Apple products, of which 14 are located in China.

Cook has repeatedly acknowledged the importance of the Chinese market and predicted the country will be Apple’s single biggest market in the years to come.

During the quarter ending Dec.29, Apple’s revenue in greater China-including Taiwan and Hong Kong – totaled $6.83 billion, up from $4.08 billion a year ago, representing growth of 67 percent.