Tim Cook Meets with China Mobile to Discuss 'Cooperation', Shares Thoughts on Chinese Markets

As speculated following his arrival in China earlier this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook has met with representatives of China Mobile, the world's largest carrier. Reuters notes that the two sides discussed "cooperation", but no additional information on the status of long-running negotiations over the iPhone have been revealed.

"In the morning, Apple's CEO Tim Cook visited China Mobile's headquarters. China Mobile's Chairman Xi Guohua and Tim Cook discussed matters of cooperation," said Li Jun, a China Mobile spokesman, in an emailed statement. [...]

Talks between Apple and China Mobile have been going on for years and are stuck on revenue sharing terms, analysts said, so it is tough to say if this meeting would break new ground.

cook miit jan13
Tim Cook meeting with China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei earlier this week (Source: MIIT)

Cook also sat down with Sina Technology for an exclusive interview [Google translation] in which he touched on a number of topics. Notably, Cook shared that although this was his second visit to China as CEO of Apple, he has visited China numerous times since 1996 and he has observed tremendous changes over that time.

Cook also highlighted Apple's efforts to raise its profile in China, reiterating plans to grow its retail presence from the current 11 stores in Greater China to at least 25 locations. Apple is also working to speed up the approval process for Apple products in China, moves which would allow product launches in China to occur closer to the first waves that generally include the United States and perhaps 5-10 other countries.

As he has in several other settings, Cook skirted discussion of Apple's plans for the television market, noting that he uses and loves the current Apple TV set-top box but that the market does not yet offer similar potential to the smartphone market. As he usually does when confronted with questions about television, Cook shared only that Apple remains very interested in the market and acknowledged that he can not discuss any future plans for the company.

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...

Top Rated Comments

koban4max Avatar
168 months ago
Did Steve dress in a suit during such meet ups?
I don't recall.

Does it matter? Cook is not Steve.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lyricist3 Avatar
168 months ago
He is 51 :confused: He looks like a very old man.
IMAGE CAPTIONS:

Tim Cook: Hellloo Sweeety
Miao Wei: *help?! anyone?*
Background helper girls: We'll leave you two alone ...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
168 months ago
Best Tim Cook translation in the article:

I respect very much Ivey, working with him for the glory of my life.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Born Again Avatar
168 months ago
I'm glad apple is sticking to their guns here
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
routine_analyst Avatar
168 months ago
"...our tech executive source claims Cook is into Asian guys..."

source: http://gawker.com/5834158/tim-cook-apples-new-ceo-and-the-most-powerful-gay-man-in-america

source: http://www.examiner.com/article/tim-cook-apple-s-new-ceo-the-most-powerful-gay-person-the-world

^_______^
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SactoGuy18 Avatar
168 months ago
The big issue for Apple in China is NOT a cheaper iPhone. The issue is compatibility with China Mobile's unique TD-SCDMA digital cellular network; my guess is that Apple has been quietly testing iPhone 5's with a modified A6 SoC that directly supports TD-SCDMA, and as such a China Mobile-specific iPhone 5 will roll out some time in the Spring of 2013.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)