Apple pledges to develop China's digital economy and high-tech supply chain

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang welcomes Apple CEO Tim Cook in Beijing on October 19. (Photo: Xinhua)

After a quiet start, Tim Cook's surprise trip to China has become more "lively" in the past few days. He met with many high-ranking Chinese government figures such as Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong, and Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, according to information from the Global Times .

SCMP assessed that although high-level meetings are normal for Apple CEO's business trips, the latest closed-door discussions took place in the context of the iPhone maker facing many obstacles in China.

During the meeting, Ding Xuexiang told the Apple chief that China’s doors were “open” and the country was ready to provide more opportunities and create a better environment for foreign companies, including Apple, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Cook said Apple remained confident in the prospects of the Chinese market and was willing to strengthen cooperation with China in high-end manufacturing, the digital economy and other areas.

His statement is consistent with recent evidence that China continues to be the most important supply chain for iPhones and other new production lines in the short term, despite Apple's efforts to diversify its supply chain.

Before meeting with the Chinese vice premier, Tim Cook visited a factory of Luxshare, which manufactures AirPods and iPhone 15 headphones, as well as the Vision Pro mixed reality headset. When he visited an Apple Store last week, he told reporters that he was excited by what domestic developers were doing with Vision Pro apps, according to China Daily .

Deputy Premier Ding Xuexiang’s remarks are consistent with Beijing’s broader efforts to attract foreign investment to help revive the economy after Covid-19. Foreign direct investment in China’s high-tech manufacturing sector rose 12.8% in the first nine months of 2023, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.

During a week-long trip in March 2023, Tim Cook met with Premier Li Qiang, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and other senior officials at the government-sponsored Economic Development Forum.

(According to SCMP)

Tim Cook secretly visits China, looking for ways to salvage iPhone 15 sales Apple CEO Tim Cook made a surprise appearance at a gaming event in China, showing the importance of this market to the 'Apple House' at a time when the company is facing increasingly greater challenges.

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