Apple, in collaboration with Alibaba, has developed a large language model specifically for the Chinese market, according to Reuters, citing three sources.
Details About the Model
The sources did not disclose the model’s name or specifications. They noted that this is the first time Apple has independently trained an AI system for Beijing, having previously relied on local partners to integrate generative AI into devices sold in the country.
American counterparts used by Apple domestically, such as Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are unavailable in China.
Apple’s model will complement, not replace, its partner solutions. The sources did not specify how roles will be distributed between Apple’s development and Chinese solutions. Reuters noted that such a hybrid strategy is unprecedented among foreign companies in China.
Apple Intelligence is expected to launch in China in the coming weeks or months, alongside an iOS update.
Regulatory Approval
The launch followed extensive regulatory approval. In July, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) registered Apple’s generative AI service—a mandatory procedure for any public model, which until now only included local developers.
If Reuters’ information is confirmed, Apple would become the first foreign company allowed by Beijing to offer its own AI system in China.
According to a July agreement, Alibaba will integrate Qwen into the Apple Intelligence version for compatible devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro) in the Chinese market; the service will also utilize Baidu’s technologies.
Last week, Apple published a Chinese-language guide for Mac owners in mainland China, explaining how to connect Qwen to Siri and “Writing Tools.” However, the company soon removed the document without explanation.
Focus on the Chinese Market
The partnership between the two companies was first confirmed in February 2025 by Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai. Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, he stated that Apple uses Alibaba’s AI system in its smartphones for China.
“They talked to many Chinese companies and ultimately chose us,” Tsai said at the time.
Deployment was delayed due to the adaptation of features to Chinese regulations. China remains a priority market for Apple, and analysts have cited the lack of AI on local iPhones as a reason for declining sales: consumers were switching to local brands with built-in assistants, primarily Huawei.
In July, Reuters reported on China’s plans to restrict access to AI models. Three sources indicated that the Ministry of Commerce of China was actively discussing this with Alibaba, ByteDance, and Z.ai.
Meanwhile, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump resumed discussions on potential measures regarding Chinese neural networks with open weights.
