CEO Tim Cook is currently visiting Shanghai, as announced on his official Weibo account on Wednesday. His visit precedes the inauguration of a new retail store and comes at a time of declining iPhone sales in China.
A video shared in the post showed Cook walking through one of Shanghai’s popular tourist districts and enjoying breakfast with Chinese actor and television personality Zheng Kai.
According to a press release issued on Monday, the new retail store located in the Jing’an district of Shanghai had its opening on Thursday.
Cook frequently visits China, an essential market and manufacturing hub for Apple, to launch products, inaugurate factories, and engage with local officials. Earlier this month, Apple revealed plans to expand its research centers in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
This trip occurs amidst reports of a 24% decline in iPhone sales in China during the first six weeks of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Analysts attribute this decline to unusually high shipments by Apple at the beginning of 2023 and increased competition from local brands like Huawei.
Last year, Cook visited China in October in response to reports of weaker iPhone 15 sales in the country compared to its predecessor.
