China’s Cyberspace Administration has approved Apple Intelligence, the generative AI service from Apple Inc., following arrangements to integrate Alibaba Group’s Qwen model into Apple’s operating systems, Reuters reported on Wednesday. The planned integration covers iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS.
Baidu confirms involvement
An update on Thursday, July 16, added that Baidu, Inc. is also working with Apple on developing Apple Intelligence features for Chinese users: a Baidu spokesperson confirmed this to TechCrunch on Wednesday evening. Baidu’s participation suggests Apple is partnering with multiple local firms to adapt AI capabilities for China.
Why this matters for Apple
Regulatory approval removes an obstacle that had delayed Apple Intelligence’s rollout in China since the technology debuted in 2024. The move carries commercial significance: in the second quarter Apple generated $20.5 billion in sales in Greater China, a 28% increase year over year. Apple also recently regained the No. 2 position in China’s smartphone market after promotional activity during a shopping festival.
Scope of the integrations
Alibaba told CNBC that its Qwen models will be “integrated into Apple Intelligence experiences,” without specifying a timeline. The companies said the integrations will include AI capabilities such as text and image understanding and generation.
Earlier reports had suggested Apple faced challenges adapting its models for Chinese customers. Apple is also reported to be exploring integrations with other local or regional AI players, including DeepSeek and ByteDance.
Timeline and sources
The initial report came from Reuters on Wednesday; the story was updated on Thursday, July 16, to add Baidu’s statement. Additional details were reported by CNBC and TechCrunch, which cited confirmations from Alibaba and Baidu respectively.
While the regulatory approval clears a key hurdle, Apple and its partners have not yet published firm release dates or a comprehensive list of localized features for Apple Intelligence in China.
