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Apple Intelligence gets China approval, to use Alibaba's Qwen AI model
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Apple Intelligence has received regulatory clearance from China's Cyberspace Administration, allowing the service to launch in the country. Alibaba confirmed that its Qwen AI model will power Apple Intelligence across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS for Chinese users, enabling text and image processing within Apple's interface. Apple is also collaborating with Baidu on additional features. The approval ends a multi-year wait since Apple Intelligence was first announced in 2024. Alibaba's U.S.-listed shares rose about 4% on the news. The clearance comes amid intensifying US-China tech competition and regulatory tensions, including Alibaba banning staff use of Anthropic tools and US lawmakers considering restrictions on Chinese AI technology. Apple recently unveiled a rebuilt Siri powered by Google Gemini, which will not be available in China.
Source report
Cris Tolomia Wed, July 15, 2026 at 6:15 AM PDT | 2 min read
- BABA: -0.17%
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Apple Intelligence has received regulatory clearance in China, with Alibaba confirming that its Qwen AI model will power the service across Apple's major platforms for users in the country.
Regulatory Approval
China's Cyberspace Administration included Apple's AI service on a list of approved providers on Wednesday, according to Reuters. This approval is a requirement for any company offering large language models or generative AI services to the public in China. The regulator's statement did not specify a launch date.
Alibaba Qwen Integration
An Alibaba spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that the Qwen model will be integrated into Apple Intelligence on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS for users in China. The spokesperson described the integration as allowing users to access Qwen's features—including the ability to process and generate both text and images—from within Apple's own interface, rather than opening a separate application.
Partnership with Baidu
Apple is also working with Baidu to develop Apple Intelligence features for Chinese iPhone users, a Baidu spokesperson said, according to Reuters.
Market Reaction
Alibaba's U.S.-listed shares climbed about 4% before Wednesday's market open on news of the deal.
Background and Context
The approval ends a lengthy wait for Chinese consumers. Apple first announced Apple Intelligence in 2024, but the service was held back in China as the company worked through regulatory requirements. In the second quarter, Apple's China shipments were up 24.4% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Apple unveiled a rebuilt version of Siri powered by Google Gemini at its Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this summer, set to arrive with iOS 27 this fall. At the time, Apple noted the service would not be available in China while the company worked through regulatory requirements—a condition now resolved with Wednesday's approval.
Broader Implications
The China clearance arrives as technology competition between the United States and China has intensified. The announcement also lands against a backdrop of mounting regulatory tension: Alibaba recently prohibited its staff from using Anthropic's tools, CNBC reported, and members of Congress are weighing legislation that would restrict U.S. companies from relying on Chinese AI technology.
Source
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Apple Intelligence Approved in China with Alibaba and Baidu AI Partnerships