Apple CEO Tim Cook meets Chinese vice-premier, renews commitment to China
- Ding said China’s doors are open and that the country is willing to provide more opportunities and create a better environment for foreign enterprises
- Cook said Apple remained confident in the Chinese market and was willing to strengthen cooperation in hi-end manufacturing and the digital economy
Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang and Apple CEO Tim Cook have met in Beijing, with both committing to Apple’s participation in developing the country’s digital economy and hi-tech supply chain, as the US technology giant attempts to shift its China narrative amid controversies over national security and censorship.
However, in their meeting, Ding told Cook that China’s doors are “open” and that the country is willing to provide more opportunities and create a better environment for foreign enterprises, including Apple, according to a report by Chinese state radio.
Cook reportedly stated that Apple remains confident in the prospects of the Chinese market, with the company willing to strengthen cooperation with the country in high-end manufacturing, the digital economy and other fields.
Cook’s statements are consistent with recent evidence that China will remain Apple’s most important supply chain for iPhones and newer product lines in the near term, despite the company's recent efforts to diversify its supply chain following Covid-9-related supply difficulties in the country last year.
Before meeting with Ding, Cook had made a stop at manufacturing facilities run by Luxshare Precision Industry Co, a major Apple AirPods supplier that also won orders to make the iPhone 15, and was more recently given assembly work for the upcoming Vision Pro mixed-reality headset.
