© Reuters. Apple CEO Tim Cook leaves the venue after his speech at the 2023 China Development Forum, in Beijing, China, March 25, 2023. cnsphoto via REUTERS
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SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook used his first public remarks on Saturday during his visit to China to praise the country for its rapid innovation and long-standing relationship with the US iPhone maker, according to local media reports.
Apple CEO Tim Cook used his first public remarks in China in recent years, on Saturday, to praise the country for its speedy innovation and longstanding relationship with the US iPhone maker, according to local media reports.
Cook was in Beijing for the China Development Forum, an event organized by the government and being held again in full force after the country ended its COVID control late last year.
Besides Cook, the event is attended by senior government officials as well as CEOs of companies such as Pfizer (NYSE:) and BHP.
“Innovation is developing rapidly in China and I think it will accelerate further,” Cook was quoted as saying by The Paper news paper.
His visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between Beijing and Washington, as Apple has been looking to reduce its supply chain dependence on China and move production to new and upcoming centers such as India.
Last year, production was disrupted at the world’s largest iPhone factory operated by Apple supplier Foxconn after China’s no-COVID policies fueled worker unrest.
Cook also visited an Apple Store in Beijing on Friday, and pictures of him went viral on Chinese social media.
During his speech, Cook also discussed education and the need for young people to learn programming critical thinking skills, and announced that Apple plans to increase spending on its rural education program to 100 million yuan, local media reports.