BEIJING, October 20 (TMTPost)—Wang Wentao, the Minister of Commerce of China, met with Apple CEO Tim Cook in Beijing as the U.S. tech giant is struggling with weakening demand for its key offering in China.

Credit：the Ministry of Commerce of China

The Minister and Cook discussed Apple’s development in China and Sino-U.S. economic and trade relationship, according to a statement of China’s Ministry of Commerce. China will unwaveringly promote high-level opening up and continue to expand market access, the statement quoted Wang’s remark. Wang also said China is committed to creating a market-oriented, business-friendly and internationalized environment under the rule of law. The Minister welcomed international companies, including Apple, to share dividends in the Chinese market and achieve win-win development.

Apple treasures the achievements it made through development in the past three decades, support Beijing and Washington to strengthen communication and dialogue, maintain and develop a stable bilateral economic and trade relationship, and create good environment for practical cooperation between businesses of two counties, Cook told Wang.

Though not directly responding to Apple’s much-concerned pivot trend from China, Cook at the forum stressed the inextricable links between his company and the top smartphone market. Apple and China grow together and both sides enjoy the symbiotic relationship, said Cook, adding that there are billions of developers and very powerful supply chain in the country. Cook noted 2023 marks the 30th year for Apple to operate in China as the tech giant first opened its office there in 1993, while his personal involvement with China can even be traced back prior to joining iPhone maker.

China is willing to provide a good environment and services for foreign companies including Apple, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao stated in talks with Cook during his visit in March. Wang underlined China will firmly promote high-level opening up, and push forward opening-up of rules, regulations, management, standards and other systems gradually.

This is Cook’s second visit to China this year. The chief executive praised the rapid high-tech development in his speech made in late March at the China Development Forum 2023, a state-organized event featuring the attendance of international executives of giants like Aramco, Mercedes-Benz. Speech at that forum was one of Cook’s highlight moments in his first visit in China since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Cook at the forum stressed the inextricable links between his company and the top smartphone market. Apple and China grow together and both sides enjoy the symbiotic relationship, said Cook.

China is willing to provide a good environment and services for foreign companies including Apple, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao stated in talks with Cook during his visit in March. Wang underlined China will firmly promote high-level opening up, and push forward opening-up of rules, regulations, management, standards and other systems gradually.

Cook’s recent trip to China is different from his previous one, as it included a deeper exploration of the Chinese market, the state-backed newspaper the Global Times reported. The trip showcased Apple’s continued desire for deep cooperation with China, the paper cited Liu Dingding, a veteran tech industry observer.

Estimates released earlier this week suggested Apple was overtaken by Huawei as new iPhone series are starting off slow in China. In the week ended October 8, or the 40th week of the year, Huawei took the first place with a 19.4% of market share by sales in China, according to BCI, a Chinese consulting firm focusing on research in the communications industry. The performance showcased Huawei has made great strides since inception of Mate 60 series. The tech giant’s recent market share rose almost 10 percentage points from the week prior to new flagship’s launch.

Sales of iPhone 15 in China are 4.5% lower than the iPhone 14 over their first 17 days after release, Counterpoint Research estimated. Smartphone sales in China were mainly driven by high double-digit growth in Android sales led by Huawei, Xiaomi and Honor devices, while Apple’s iPhone sales recorded a negative YoY growth since the iPhone 15 launched, resulting in Huawei’s dethroning as the market leader in China, Jefferies analysts said at a report on Monday.