Apple CEO Tim Cook visits China
Tim Cook, CEO of the US technology company Apple, in the session he attended on the first day of the China Development Forum (CDF), stated that 2023 is the 30th anniversary of Apple’s start of operations in China, and that the company has cooperated with the country over the years. He emphasized that they grew together by establishing a “symbiotic (symbiotic) relationship”.
Refraining from mentioning the problems related to the US sanctions on China in the field of technology and disruptions in supply chains, Cook drew attention to the importance of using technology in education to close the gap between cities and rural areas.
Cook stated that Apple will provide 100 million yuan ($ 14.5 million) per year to China’s rural education program.
Before the forum, Cook visited the Apple Store in Beijing’s Sanlitun district, which is Apple’s first store opened in China yesterday, and posed for photos with store employees and customers.
Cook will meet with Prime Minister Li Chiang and senior Chinese officials, as well as business circles, at the forum, which will continue on March 25-27.
Apart from Cook, the Forum is attended by Ray Dalio, founder of investment firm Bridgewater Associates, Albert Bourla, CEO of pharmaceutical company Pfizer, and Jon Moeller, CEO of consumer products company Procter & Gamble.
Despite the recently increasing tensions between the USA and China, Apple has the largest share in smartphone sales in China with 22 percent. The company manufactures most of its smartphones in China through subcontractors.
It is observed that Apple and its contracted manufacturers have recently taken initiatives to shift production to neighboring countries such as Vietnam and India, due to the increased perception of geopolitical risk regarding China and the quarantine measures implemented during the Kovid-19 outbreak disrupting factory production and supply chains.
