No legal restrictions on foreign mobile phones, including Apple, says China

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) – China said on Wednesday that there are no legal restrictions in the country preventing the purchase and use of foreign-brand mobile phones such as Apple.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China is committed to a high level of openness, protecting foreign investors' rights within the law, and creating a business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and international in nature, Beijing-based Global News reported.

"We always take an open attitude toward foreign enterprises and welcome them to seize China's development opportunities and share the fruits of China's economic development," the daily quoted Mao as saying.

"However, we have recently noticed that there have been a lot of media reports about the security of Apple's mobile phones. The Chinese government attaches great importance to information and cybersecurity, and treats both domestic and foreign companies equally," she stressed.

Last week, China ordered its government officials to abandon using foreign-branded devices, including the iPhone, for work due to alleged cybersecurity concerns. Apple generates around 19% of its revenue from China, its second-largest market after the US.

Beijing's move comes as US officials, at the federal and state level, have also restricted the use of Chinese devices, including those from Huawei, as well as social media giant TikTok.