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Apple CEO extols Chinese suppliers at Beijing forum as iPhone sales dip while Huawei gains

  • Cook took to the stage at the China Development Forum on Sunday, hosted by the government and attended by Premier Li Qiang
  • Cook told commerce minister Wang Wentao that Apple is committed to long-term development in China, according to a government statement

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Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the China Development Forum in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Ben Jiangin Beijing
Apple chief executive Tim Cook lauded the “huge contribution” that Chinese suppliers have made to the iPhone maker’s carbon-neutral goals, at a high-profile summit hosted by the Chinese government and attended by Premier Li Qiang.
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At the China Development Forum, which kicked off in Beijing on Sunday and runs through Monday, Cook took to the stage to address high-profile attendees that include top-level Chinese government officials and more than 80 foreign business executives.

Chinese suppliers “are not just receptive to the [carbon neutrality] goal, they’ve been innovating and figuring out new ways of doing things”, he said.

Cook’s appearance at the forum, Beijing’s answer to the World Economic Forum’s summit in Davos, Switzerland, was the latest stop of the CEO’s jam-packed trip in China, where the US giant has been struggling with declining sales while trying to diversify the geographic footprint of its supply chain.
Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke at the China Development Forum at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Photo: AP Photo
Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke at the China Development Forum at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Photo: AP Photo

On Friday, Cook met China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao to discuss Apple’s operations in the country and Sino-US economic and trade ties, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce.

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“China has a massive market … highly-qualified talent and a stable and open business environment … this means huge opportunities for global companies, including Apple,” the statement read. “China welcomes Apple to deepen its foothold in the country.”

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