Reuters reported on October 15, 2026, that Apple had trained a large language model specifically for China in collaboration with Alibaba. The report adds a China-focused model to the story of Apple Intelligence’s planned test and rollout. NeoTeo previously covered the planned China test; this follow-up focuses on Reuters’ additional reporting about the model and Tim Cook’s meeting with China’s commerce minister.
A China-specific model and a meeting with China’s commerce minister
Reuters reported that Apple trained the China-specific model with Alibaba’s collaboration. The agency also reported that Cook met Wang Wentao, China’s commerce minister, on October 15 to discuss AI development and Apple’s business in China. Reuters based its account of Cook’s statements on an interview with The Paper in Shanghai.
What the reported China test was expected to include
Reuters reported that Cook said Apple Intelligence had been approved in China and that a test version was expected later in October. The planned test was expected to include real-time translation, writing tools and removal of objects from images, but not Siri AI.
A separate December rollout plan
Mark Gurman reported on Bloomberg Television that Apple was preparing a separate initial rollout for December 2026, involving Alibaba and Baidu. The reported rollout would exclude Siri AI and image generation. It is a separate plan from the October test.
Apple’s current mainland China access rules
Apple’s support page, published September 21, 2026, says compatible devices purchased in mainland China currently cannot use Apple Intelligence. For compatible iPhones purchased outside mainland China, Apple says the feature is unavailable when the user is in mainland China and the Apple Account country or region is also mainland China. Apple’s support page explains the current availability rules.
Apple says previously purchased compatible devices will be able to activate a basic set of Apple Intelligence features in mainland China once the service becomes available there. Newer features will remain unavailable there while Apple works on regulatory requirements.
