Tim Cook meets with developers before opening Apple Jing'an

By William Gallagher

Tim Cook

is in Shanghai for the opening of Apple's newest store, and has been stopping by developers, students, and suppliers.

Tim Cook (left) with coffee-making entrepreneurs at Saturnbird (Source: Tim Cook)

Together with Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's union-bashing retail chief, Tim Cook is visiting China for the opening today of its eighth store in Shanghai, Apple Jing'an. Ahead of that opening, Cook spent yesterday touring the city.

Like any corporation, Apple does not publish its CEO's schedule publicly. But Cook has been posting extensively on Weibo, China's main social media platform.

Cook visits artists and developers

Based on his posts, once he'd breakfasted with actor Zheng Kai, Cook went to director Lu Mo's production studio. "[She] is finalizing a short film about girls chasing their dreams of lion dance," wrote Cook.

Film director Lu Mo (center) with Tim Cook (Source: Tim Cook)

"From drawing storyboards on iPad, to shooting with iPhone 15 Pro Max, to editing clips with MacBook Pro," he continued, "it's nice to see how she and her film crew use Apple products in every step of creation."

Next, Cook visited Papergames, the developer of the Nikki and Love series of games. The beautiful picture and smooth experience show the powerful performance of Apple chips on iPhone and iPad," wrote Cook.

Tim Cook (right) meets with developers Papergames (Source: Tim Cook)

"Thank you for sharing with me the wonderful story of entrepreneurship," he continued, "and the plan to introduce the game to Mac and Apple Vision Pro!"

Tim Cook uses sign language to thank a supplier (Source: Tim Cook)

"At Apple, we always focus on creating the world's best products for our customers," wrote Cook later as he met with suppliers BYD, Lansi Technology and Changying Precision. He described them all as "models of breaking through the limits of possibilities every day."

Meeting customers and students

Following this, he visited the existing Apple Nanjing East Road store, a few miles closer to the Huangpu River than the new Apple Jing'an. He met with customers, plus artist Wang Shiqing and actor Ji Huanbo

Tim Cook meets artist Wang Shiqing (center) and actor Ji Huanbo (Source: Tim Cook)

"Great to spend time with our teams and customers at Apple Nanjing East including the extraordinary Wang Shiqing and Ji Huanbo," wrote Cook. "Thank you for making it so memorable!"

Cook then edged closer to Apple Jing'an's site by going to Shanghai Jiaotong University, where he met students designing applications.

Tim Cook with App Contest and Swift Student Challenge winners at Shanghai Jiaotong University (Source: Tim Cook)

"It was wonderful meeting App Contest and Swift Student Challenge winners at Shanghai Jiaotong University," wrote Cook. "They're using coding to solve complex challenges, preserve culture and build successful businesses."

"We're grateful to the teachers who mentor them," he continued, "and we love seeing students become mentors themselves."

Coffee stop

Then lastly before attending the opening of Apple Jing'an, Cook stopped for coffee at Saturnbird, and the Three and a Half Meals organization.

"Thank you to the team at Saturnbird for showing me how Mac and iPad work seamlessly together to help they create an amazing cup of coffee," wrote Cook. "Great to see your shared commitment to the environment through recycling and repurposing your used containers and coffee grounds!"

Deirdre O'Brien and Tim Cook opening Apple Jing'an (Source: Weibo user)

Cook was able to fit in all of these visits ahead of the store opening because, unusually, Apple Jing'an opened its doors at 7 PM local time. While Cook hasn't posted about the opening at time of writing, other Weibo users captured the moment he and O'Brien met the crowds.