Apple's 2016 China investment strategy focused on technological development

In May 2016, Apple CEO Tim Cook traveled to Beijing to repair relations with the Chinese government following a 26% decline in sales and the closure of iTunes Movies and iBooks in the country. To demonstrate that Apple viewed China as more than just a low-cost manufacturing hub, the company proposed a massive investment plan valued at approximately $275 billion (or 235 billion euros) over the following five years.

Rather than a direct cash transfer, this investment focused on fostering China's technological development. Apple worked closely with local suppliers by providing training, funding machinery, and implementing production strategies. The company also deployed specialized teams to scout advanced technologies and processes globally—including from the Swiss, German, and Austrian watchmaking and jewelry industries—to adapt them for the manufacturing of iPhones, iPads, and Macs within China.