Apple AI cleared for China rollout as Alibaba Qwen integration gains regulatory approval

China’s Cyberspace Administration has granted approval for Apple’s AI services to launch in the country, clearing the way for the integration of Alibaba’s Qwen model into Apple’s operating systems. The decision, reported by Reuters on Wednesday, confirms a partnership that will bring generative AI capabilities to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS devices within the region.

Alibaba verified the development to CNBC, stating that the Qwen model would be integrated into Apple Intelligence experiences. The company specified that the integration would encompass text and image understanding and generation capabilities. However, no specific launch timeframe was provided for the rollout of these features to Chinese consumers.

The approval represents a strategic expansion for Apple into a critical market, where sales in Greater China rose 28% to $20.5 billion in the second quarter. The tech giant recently regained the number two position in China’s smartphone market following a shopping festival that offered discounts on its iPhone lineup, underscoring the commercial importance of this regulatory clearance.

Prior to finalising the deal with Alibaba, Apple explored partnerships with other local technology firms, including Baidu, DeepSeek, and ByteDance. Reports indicated that negotiations with Baidu encountered difficulties in adapting its models for Chinese customers, contributing to delays in bringing Apple Intelligence, which debuted in 2024, to the region.

Following the news, U.S. shares of Alibaba rose 4% in pre-market trading, with gains exceeding 6% at the time of publication. The move signals a resolution to long-standing regulatory hurdles and positions Apple to compete more effectively in the Chinese market, where local AI models are increasingly central to consumer technology offerings.