After pledging $1 billion to Didi Chuxing, China’s version of Uber, Apple CEO Tim Cook has finally landed in Beijing for his latest visit. Cook was spotted with a top executive for Didi Chuxing at an Apple Store in the capital earlier today, Apple Insider reports.
Cook's visit to Beijing has many speculating about the reasons behind the trip. With his latest deal with Didi, it's clear that Cook is working to improve Apple’s relationship with China. Apple just experienced one of their worst quarters in history in China. Sales fell a whopping 26 percent during the first few months of 2016.
This is likely due to the fact that the iPhone – which was the most popular phone in China last year – has been beaten out by local competitors Huawei and Xiaomi.
During his visit it is likely that Cook will address slowing sales in addition to recent cybersecurity and regulatory challenges. The Apple News app is still blocked in China and Apple TV remains unavailable. During the trip, Cook might also attempt to meet with regulators in order to bring iBooks and iTunes Movies back to China. Both were shut down by the government in April.
[Image via KKJ.cn]
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