Alibaba Jumps 7.9% After China Clears Apple Intelligence for iPhone
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 15
Alibaba Jumps 7.9% After China Clears Apple Intelligence for iPhone
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 15
Summary
Alibaba climbed as much as 7.9% in US trading after China’s cyberspace regulator approved Apple Intelligence for the iPhone, ending a two-year wait for the feature.
The China version will run on Alibaba’s Qwen model, with Baidu also confirmed as a partner, giving investors a concrete commercial signal for domestic AI adoption.
US-listed Chinese tech shares broadly advanced as the approval reinforced improving earnings expectations and added to signs Beijing is turning more supportive of the internet sector.
The rally extends a comeback in China internet stocks after a long stretch of underperformance, with AI progress now joining policy support as a key driver.
By embedding Chinese AI, has Apple created a blueprint for tech giants to operate under authoritarian rule?
With Apple adopting a Chinese AI, is America's lead in the global dominance race now at risk?
Does on-device AI solve privacy, or just move data risks from the cloud to the smartphone?
Apple Secures China’s Green Light for AI: Qwen-Powered Intelligence Coming to iPhones in 2026
Overview
In July 2026, Apple Intelligence received crucial regulatory approval in China, marking a major step for Apple’s AI ambitions in the world’s largest smartphone market. This approval, granted by Chinese authorities, allows Apple to integrate advanced AI features into its iPhone devices sold in China. A key part of this breakthrough is Apple’s partnership with Alibaba’s Qwen AI, which will power the Apple Intelligence service locally. For now, the license is limited to iPhones, and Apple has not yet announced when Chinese users will get access to these new AI features, highlighting both the opportunity and ongoing rollout uncertainty.