FM: No policy issued to ban purchase, use of iPhones

The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that China has not issued any law, regulation or policy document to ban the purchase and use of cellphones of Apple or other foreign brands, but noted that media reports have exposed security incidents involving iPhones.

Mao Ning, spokeswoman for the ministry, made the remarks at a regular news conference in response to reports that China has asked officials at some government agencies not to use iPhones for work or bring them into office.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to cybersecurity and information security, and treats domestic and foreign companies as equals, she said.

Mao said she hopes that all cellphone companies operating in China will strictly abide by the country's laws and regulations, such as the Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law.

"We hope they will enhance information security management, protect consumers' data stored in the cellphones against theft by any individual or organization, and ensure information security," she said.

Mao reiterated that China is committed to advancing high-level opening-up, protecting the rights and interests of foreign companies in accordance with the law, and fostering a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized. "We always have an open attitude toward foreign-funded enterprises," she said.

China welcomes foreign enterprises to seize the opportunities presented by the country's development and share in the outcomes of its economic growth, she added.

China is Apple's third-largest market and accounted for 19 percent of the company's $394 billion revenue last year, Bloomberg reported.

Apple unveiled its iPhone 15 series and other new products on Tuesday.