Apple has apparently advanced its plans to expand manufacturing outside of China, telling contract manufacturer partners that it is aiming to diversify production. This is according to a report posted today by the Wall Street Journal. Although some of Apple’s products are already produced in countries like Vietnam and India, the vast majority of Apple’s manufacturing takes place in China, at Foxconn and Pegatron facilities. The Journal says that Apple has been considering geographic expansion plans for a while, but the pandemic put a pause to any immediate changes. However, the recent bout of strict lockdowns in Shanghai has reaffirmed…