Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook will reportedly visit China this month's end with a view to hold several meetings with the Chinese officials. While this is not Cook's first visit to the Communist nation, nor will he be meeting the Chinese authorities for the first time, his visit assumes significance in view of the recent ban on some of Apple's services in the country.
While Apple has neither confirmed nor denied reports regarding Cook's impending visit to China, sources close the Cupertino tech titan revealed that the meeting will certainly take place, Reuters reported (via Digital Trends.) They feel that this is also a "very poignant time" for a meeting between the two parties.
There is no doubt that Apple is the leading tech company globally and is also considered to be among the most valuable companies worldwide; it does not have the same sway in all markets across the globe. Currently, China is the second largest market for Apple's products and services, only next to the United States, the financial results of 2016's first quarter showed that its earnings have dropped by 11 percent and sales in mainland China were responsible for the decline in revenue, CNet reported.
While the regulators in China have recently banned two Apple services, including iTunes Movies and iBook, in the country, even the iPhone brand is in jeopardy. In fact, the Chinese government has already made its intentions clear that it would decrease its dependence on foreign tech firms. Some experts are of the view that the Chinese ban of the two Apple services are aimed at curtailing the tech firm's growing influence in the country.
These are two vital issues not only for Apple but also for other American tech firms. Therefore, it is almost certain that Cook will take up these issues during his meetings with the Chinese officials and try to sort out the impasse face by the Cupertino tech giant in that country. In addition, he may also explain the company's stand on refusing to hack an iPhone for the FBI to help the agency in its investigation into the San Bernardino massacre.
Although the San Bernardino case may not be of much significance for the Chinese authorities, they would certainly want to get control over the foreign tech firms operating in the country. They may be of the view that if not curbed right now, Apple may deny similar request made by the Chinese government in future, in case there is a similar occasion.
