(Yicai Global) Feb. 6 -- Google's new office in Shenzhen in China's Guangdong province will serve as a platform for the joint development of hardware with its partners, the company's regional president said at an event today.

Google's establishment of a third China office in Shenzhen was a natural decision as it brings the firm closer to hardware partners already located in the southern tech city, said Google Greater China President Scott Beaumont, discussing the office for the first time today

Beaumont was participating an event to mark the launch of BrandZ Top 50 Chinese Global Brand Builders, a ranking report from advertiser WPP Plc. and research company Kantar Millward Brown Co. carried out in collaboration with Google.

The location will focus on Google's hardware and background operations rather than technology, he said. The development of AI requires first-class computer science, large amounts of data, rapid prediction and judgment capacity as well as top-notch laboratories, Beaumont said, adding that China meets those requirements.

Google's Shenzhen office, located in the city's tallest building, opened last month, marking Google's third location in the country following the opening of an AI lab in Beijing in December.

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