Jakarta, ThedailyID — Tim Cook visited China on Saturday, October 10, 2026, marking his third trip to the country this year. The visit focused on manufacturing development, supply chains, and opportunities to expand Apple’s business in China.
The trip also marked Cook’s first visit to China since stepping down as Apple CEO. On Sunday, October 11, he met Guangdong Governor Meng Fanli in southern China.
According to the South China Morning Post, Cook said Apple was willing to expand its presence in Guangdong. The company also expressed interest in further cooperation in supply chains, smart manufacturing, green manufacturing, and sales channels.
Cook highlighted Guangdong’s role as a major manufacturing hub for Apple in China. The province hosts numerous Apple suppliers and business ecosystem partners that support the company’s operations.
Meng welcomed Apple’s plans to expand through innovative products, growing businesses, and research and development platforms in the province. He also pledged to build an international, market-oriented, and law-based business environment.
Social media posts from customers showed Cook visiting an Apple Store in Guangzhou, Guangdong’s provincial capital. He also watched a local content creator film a martial arts video using an iPhone 18 Pro.
“Happy to be back in China!” Cook wrote on Weibo on Saturday.
The visit comes as demand for Apple’s latest devices remains uncertain. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are already available in China, while the iPhone Duo is scheduled to go on sale on October 23.
Industry analyst Ma Jihua told the Global Times that Cook’s decision to visit China first after taking on his new role at Apple carried significant meaning. He said the move highlighted China’s crucial position in Apple’s global supply chain.
Early sales data offered a positive sign for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Counterpoint Research reported that sales during the first three days exceeded the iPhone 17 Pro series’ sales during its entire first week in 2025 by 12%.
The strong debut helped Apple rank first in China’s smartphone sales between September 14 and 20. However, Nikkei Asia reported the following week that Apple had asked some suppliers to reduce component production for its latest Pro models, raising questions about demand after the initial launch period.
The conflicting signals leave Apple facing uncertainty over whether early enthusiasm will translate into sustained sales in China.
