Most local and international IT businesses have been subject to strict regulations from the Chinese government because of worries that they were becoming too big and threatening the country. Apple has, however, nearly single-handedly avoided these limitations. The Financial Times reports that Apple’s CEO Tim Cook’s business diplomacy and their mutually beneficial ties with the Chinese government are to blame. Apple has complied with several harsh restrictions, including those that ban VPNs, many news apps, and more. It has also demanded that user data be kept on servers maintained by state-owned businesses. The Cupertino corporation claims it has little option but to abide by local regulations in each nation where it operates. Still, many have criticized it for placing itself in a situation where it must take actions that are directly at odds with its professed principles. -Financial Times The international sanctions have hindered the growth of local Chinese businesses such as Huawei. The sanctions were disastrous for Huawei because they made it impossible for the company to purchase essential technology, such as 5G processors, but most noticeably because the smartphone manufacturer lost its Android license. It would be unable to continue selling new Android phones without this. This has left a void in the mobile industry, allowing Apple to fill it. Both businesses value their mutually beneficial partnership. Therefore neither want to endanger it. China serves as Apple’s second-largest market and has a significant industrial base. Thus it is pretty crucial to the company. Hundreds of thousands of employees that are relatively highly compensated and support the economic benefit the Chinese government.
