China assured on Wednesday that it would not ban the Apple iPhone or “other foreign brand phones” in its ministries, following press reports of restrictions in certain administrations.
The American business newspaper The Wall Street Journal reiterated last week that authorities are banning certain officials from using iPhones for professional purposes to protect themselves from espionage risks.
“There are no laws, regulations or policies in China that prohibit the purchase or use of foreign brand mobile phones, including the iPhone,” Chinese diplomatic spokesman Mao Ning told the press.
This is Beijing’s first official response on the issue.
However, these allegations do not rule out the possibility that verbal instructions could have been given, as is sometimes the case in China.
“We have noted numerous articles revealing security issues related to the iPhone,” the spokesperson added, assuring that Chinese and foreign companies would be treated “equally” in China.
Mao Ning did not specify which press articles she was referring to.
Such a ban would pose a challenge for Apple, as China is its largest foreign market.
Following last Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal revelations, the Cupertino, California-based company’s market capitalization fell by more than $100 billion in a single session.
Suspicion of espionage
National security fears surrounding data collection by foreign groups are heightened in the context of the rivalry between China and the United States.
Since 2019, sanctions from Washington have cut off Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from global supply chains for American components and technologies.
The USA suspects an espionage operation for Beijing’s benefit, which the company denies.
The United States is also pressuring its allies to ban all Huawei equipment from its 5G network, arguing that Beijing could use the company’s assets to monitor a country’s communications and data traffic.
This clarification from Beijing about Apple comes the day after the presentation in the United States of the iPhone 15, the brand’s latest model.
Despite geopolitical tensions with the US, Apple and its products continue to enjoy undeniable popularity in China.
In March, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Beijing and notably stated that his company has a “symbiotic” relationship with China.
Apple established itself in the country in 1993 and the Asian giant is the brand’s main production center for smartphones, computers, tablets and electronic accessories.