Tim Cook visits Shanghai, says China remains critical to Apple

Actor Zheng Kai (left) and Tim Cook having breakfast (Source; Tim Cook)

Apple Jing'an is the company's eighth store in Shanghai, and it is due to open on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Ahead of the opening, Tim Cook has been promoting Apple in China, and also talking about his company's long relationship with the country.

According to China Daily, Cook told the publication that "there's no supply chain in the world that's more critical to us than China."

Despite recent moves away from the country, Cook reportedly emphasized that Apple's nearly 30-year history with China is only going to continue.

"We've been building up and investing more and more," he said. "Today's factories are so much more modern... and in 10 years from now, we will keep advancing."

Cook met with Chinese suppliers including BYD, Lens and Everwin in Apple's Shanghai office. China Daily says the companies each made a series of product exhibitions.

Separately, Cook has also been promoting Apple during his visit, including having breakfast with prolific Chinese actor Zheng Kai.

In a post on Cook's Weibo page, he wrote about touring the city and having breakfast with Kai. According to Bloomberg, within minutes, the accompany video was watched by half a million people.