Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s generative AI suite, is officially approved for launch in China. The Cyberspace Administration of China registered Apple’s AI services on Wednesday, following a deal to integrate Alibaba’s Qwen AI model across Apple’s operating systems.
The approval ends a long wait for Apple in its third-largest market. The company had explored partnerships with Baidu, DeepSeek, and ByteDance before settling on Alibaba — a deal first rumored in February 2025. The delays meant Chinese iPhone users missed out on Apple Intelligence features that debuted globally in 2024.
China is crucial for Apple’s AI ambitions. The company’s sales in Greater China rose 28% to $20.5B in the second quarter, and Apple recently regained the No. 2 position in the country’s smartphone market after aggressive discounts.
Alibaba confirmed the partnership to CNBC, calling it a significant validation of Qwen’s capabilities for international deployment.
