Apple Inc. (AAPL) Executive Chairman Tim Cook sat down with China's Vice Premier He Lifeng on Monday, and the two had a conversation that was ostensibly about business cooperation but was really about something bigger: keeping the world's two largest economies on speaking terms.
He Lifeng said that implementing agreements reached by the countries' leaders could help build a "constructive, strategic, and stable relationship between China and the United States based on respect, fairness, and equality," according to Xinhua News. He added that stronger bilateral ties would support China's, the U.S. and the global economy, while creating more predictable operating conditions for multinational companies. Translation: companies like Apple would very much like to know what the rules are going to be next quarter.
He welcomed technology companies, including Apple, to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and participate in opportunities linked to China's modernization.
Cook, for his part, said Apple remains confident in its long-term prospects in China. He also said the company would act as a bridge for businesses and support stable, healthy economic and trade relations. It's a diplomatic role for a guy who runs a phone company, but these are the times we live in.
