Apple CEO Tim Cook has made his second visit to China this year, according to an AFP report on Tuesday. This visit comes amid sluggish sales of iPhones and other Apple products in the country. Cook’s visit comes as Apple faces increasing competition from local smartphone manufacturers like Huawei and a general decline in consumer spending in China.
During his visit, Cook posted on his Weibo account that he met with Chinese university students who are using Apple products to develop sustainable agricultural technologies. He also shared a video showcasing his tour of Beijing’s historic district with renowned Chinese fashion photographer Chen Man, expressing his pleasure in returning to Beijing.
Cook’s previous visit to China was in March this year when he attended the opening ceremony of an Apple Store in Shanghai and a forum in Beijing.
Apple’s market share has been declining in recent months due to the rise of local competitors like Huawei and sluggish consumer spending. Market research firm Canalys reported that Apple, which ranked third in smartphone sales in China last year, dropped to sixth place in the second quarter of this year.
In response, Apple has launched a significant discount campaign ahead of the biggest shopping event in China, Singles’ Day (Guanggun Jie), on November 11. The official Apple store in Tianmao began offering discounts on products, including the iPhone 16 series, iPads, Apple Watches, and AirPods, starting Monday evening, with discounts on the iPhone 16 series reaching up to 1,600 yuan (approximately $220). This follows a similar strategy from last year when Apple slashed prices after the iPhone 15 launch and offered discounts during major shopping events like the Lunar New Year and the 6·18 Shopping Festival.
According to AFP, during this visit, Cook is expected to seek solutions to navigate the increasingly competitive Chinese market.
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