Apple eyes China expansion

Beijing, March 27 (IANS) Apple Inc. said it was eyeing greater investment and growth in China as its chief executive Tim Cook visited Beijing Monday.

The US electronics giant confirmed that Cook had meetings with Chinese officials and informed them about the company's plans.

He also visited an Apple store at Joy City Mall in the busy Xidan shopping area in downtown Beijing.

Cook had a short stay at the store on Monday morning when he posed for pictures with customers, one staff recalled, Xinhua reported.

Cook's first China visit as Apple's CEO triggered speculation that Apple might change its market strategy towards China, Apple's biggest market outside his home market. Apple's founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, who died last October, never visited China.

Apple usually starts selling its iconic iPhone and iPads in China months after debuting them in the US and other major markets. The practice has triggered complaints from Apple fans and also led to opportunities for scalpers on the black market.

China Telecom, the country's third-largest mobile carrier, joined its bigger rival China Unicom in selling the iPhone early the month, bringing Apple tens of millions of potential customers.

But not all is going well for Apple in China, as it is currently locked in a legal dispute with Chinese electronics firm Proview Shenzhen over the rights to use the "iPad" trademark in the country.