Apple CEO promises to boost investment in China during his visit

Apple CEO Tim Cook has pledged to boost investment in China during his visit to Beijing, as tensions persist between the US and China.

Cook met with Li Lecheng, head of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), after spending two days in Shanghai.

The two discussed Apple’s business in China and explored cooperation in electronics, according to an MIIT statement.

Li said China would maintain a favorable business environment for foreign companies.

Cook thanked the MIIT for its support and said Apple would increase investment and strengthen local partnerships.

This meeting follows the MIIT’s approval of commercial eSIM trials by China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom.

The approval will allow Apple to launch the iPhone Air, which features eSIM technology, in China next week, about a month after its global release.

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

MIIT approved commercial trials of eSIM, a digital alternative to physical SIM cards, not full rollout 1. China Telecom covers all 31 provinces with in-person activation 1; China Unicom supports 75 devices with millions of eSIM users 1; China Mobile saw 150,000 pre-registrations in four hours 1.
During the trial, China Telecom needs in-person visits for eSIM activation 1. For iPhone, only iPhone Air A3518 supports eSIM from mainland Chinese carriers 2. A3518 is Apple’s internal model identifier for a variant. Other iPhone models cannot install an eSIM profile from those carriers 2.
IDC China, the local arm of International Data Corporation, said broad eSIM support across models is not imminent and remains exploratory 3. The iPhone Air launch tests regulatory and consumer appetite.

China Unicom backs 75 devices with millions of eSIM users 1, and China Mobile logged 150,000 pre-registrations in four hours 1. Each operator runs separate processes with in-person ID checks during the trial 2, so cross-carrier activation tools could see interest.
MDM and CX vendors can offer unified setup for device fleets. The goal is to cut the hassle of many carrier processes and in-person verification across provinces 1.
Digital identity and electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) vendors can standardize authentication to meet carrier ID checks 2. Remote processes could grow as trials mature, easing reliance on store visits.