According to reports, China has issued directives to officials working in central government agencies, instructing them not to use Apple's iPhones or other foreign-branded devices for work purposes or even bring them into the office. These orders, reportedly handed down by superiors to their staff in recent weeks, have raised questions about the extent of their implementation.

This move comes ahead of an upcoming Apple event, widely speculated to involve the launch of a new line of iPhones. It has also raised concerns among foreign companies operating in China, especially as tensions between the United States and China continue to escalate.

Notably, the Wall Street Journal's report did not mention any specific phone makers other than Apple. China's State Council Information Office, responsible for handling media inquiries on behalf of the Chinese government, has not provided an immediate response to requests for comment from Reuters.

For over a decade, China has been actively striving to reduce its reliance on foreign technologies. This effort has involved urging state-affiliated entities, such as banks, to transition to domestic software and promoting the local manufacturing of computer chips.

In 2020, Beijing intensified this campaign, introducing the concept of a "dual circulation" growth model to reduce dependency on overseas markets and technology. This shift was driven by growing concerns over data security.

In May, China called upon major state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to play a pivotal role in achieving technological self-reliance, further escalating competition in this realm amid ongoing disputes with the United States.

Sino-U.S. tensions have remained high, with Washington collaborating with its allies to restrict China's access to essential equipment crucial for its competitive chip industry. Simultaneously, Beijing has imposed restrictions on shipments from prominent U.S. firms like Boeing and Micron Technology.

During a recent visit to China, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo disclosed that U.S. companies had expressed concerns about China becoming "uninvestible." She pointed to fines, raids, and other actions that have made conducting business in the world's second-largest economy increasingly risky.

This latest restriction from China bears similarities to the bans previously imposed in the United States against Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei Technologies and the short video platform TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance.

It's worth noting that China represents one of Apple's largest markets, contributing nearly one-fifth of its revenue.

Image source- Reuters