According to local media reports, Apple (AAPL.O) CEO Tim Cook used his first public remarks on his visit to China on Saturday to praise the country for its rapid innovation and long ties with the U.S. iPhone maker.
According to local media reports, Apple (AAPL.O) CEO Tim Cook used his first public remarks in China in recent years on Saturday to praise the country for its rapid innovation and long ties with the iPhone maker.
Cook is in Beijing for the China Development Forum, a government-sponsored event that is back in full swing after the country lifted COVID controls late last year.
In addition to Cook, senior government officials and CEOs from companies such as Pfizer and BHP will be in attendance.
“Innovation is developing rapidly in China, and I believe it will accelerate further,” Cook was quoted as saying by The Paper news outlet.
His visit coincides with rising tensions between Beijing and Washington, as well as Apple’s efforts to reduce its supply chain reliance on China by shifting production to new up-and-coming centers such as India.
Last year, production at Foxconn’s world’s largest iPhone factory was severely disrupted as a result of China’s zero-COVID policies, which fueled worker unrest.
Cook also paid a visit to an Apple Store in Beijing on Friday, and photos of his visit went viral on Chinese social media.
Cook also discussed education and the need for young people to learn programming critical thinking skills during his speech, announcing that Apple plans to increase spending on its rural education program to 100 million yuan, according to local media reports.
