(Yicai Global) Jan. 18 -- Google's new office in China's tech capital Shenzhen, Guangdong province, is located in the city's tallest building, sources close to the internet giant told Yicai Global.

The firm aims to develop exchanges with local partners in the fields of artificial intelligence and smart devices from it a new base inside the 118-storey Ping An International Finance Centre.

The office marks Google's third location in China following the opening of an AI lab in Beijing last month, which will focus on in-depth and reinforced learning, language and image research.

Several Silicon Valley-based investment institutions have shifted their attention to China in recent years in search of new AI investment targets. Chinese AI firms often focus on the technology's application scenarios, a segment of great interest to investors.

Shenzhen is the most competitive place in the world for AI application-layer hardware. Harry Shum, Google Global Vice-President, once praised the city's Huaqiang North Commercial District for "its world-unique hardware ecosystem," adding that "in Shenzhen, you can have any hardware product assembled."