Apple CEO Tim Cook chronicled a recent four-day trip to China on microblogging website Weibo, posting pictures and brief messages regarding Apple Store meet-ups, school visits and general goings on while in the country.
Source: Tim Cook via Weibo
Cook, who opened a Weibo account earlier this week, started his China tour on Monday with the announcement of environmental initiatives that will boost Apple's contribution of clean energy to the region, while reducing its carbon and virgin fiber footprint.
On Tuesday, Cook visited the Elementary School at Communication University of China, which is apparently home to an iPad-centric educational program akin to those in the U.S. and Europe. The Apple chief was given a first-hand look at the iPad curriculum and later posed for pictures with students and staff. That same day Cook met with China's Vice Premier Liu Yandong, who praised Apple's operations and urged that the company continue investing in Chinese businesses.
Cook took time on Wednesday to visit Apple retail outlets like the Xidan Joy City location in Beijing, one of the most visited Apple Stores in China. Later in the day, he joined Apple SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue and top environmental officer Lisa Jackson for an Apple Watch workshop at the new West Lake store in Hangzhou.
Cook's last posts came from Shanghai where he met Mrs. Ma, a veteran teacher who frequents the Apple Store Nanjing East Road.
The travelogue underscores the important role China plays in Apple's current and future success. On the back of booming product sales led by iPhone, Apple is planning a massive retail expansion into mainland China that will see 25 new locations open by the end of 2016.
Since signing up for Weibo, Cook has accumulated more than 588,000 followers.