Apple chief Cook set to visit China

BEIJING: Apple chief executive Tim Cook plans to visit Beijing this month to meet high-level government officials at a time when it is facing some setbacks in its most important overseas market.

He has frequently travelled to China since taking the helm of Apple five years ago, but his latest visit comes during a critical period.

From weakening smartphone sales to the loss of an iPhone trademark dispute and the suspension of some of its online entertainment services, the US technology giant has been facing a flurry of problems in recent weeks in its second-largest market after the US.

That has raised concerns over Apple’s growth momentum as the company recently reported its first quarterly revenue drop in 13 years.

Billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn recently said he had sold his entire stake in Apple, citing China’s economic slowdown and worries about whether the government could make it very difficult for Apple to conduct business.

During his China visit, Mr Cook plans to meet senior government and Communist Party leaders including officials in charge of propaganda.

In recent weeks, Apple has wandered into the crosshairs of the government’s campaign to control internet content and ensure localisation of data storage.

Apple’s online book and film services were shut in China last month, cutting off a potential source of income, following Beijing’s introduction of regulations in March imposing strict curbs on online publishing, particularly for foreign firms.

Under President Xi Jinping, China is also trying to shift away from its dependence on foreign technology, especially in critical sectors like banking and insurance.