Apple’s love-hate relationship with China continues. There’s been a two week fight between Apple Inc. and the Chinese Government over warranties of iPhones sold in that country. After being bullied by CCTV, the state communist run media, Apple caves. They apologize to Chinese consumers for it’s melee and agreed to change warranty terms and cater to Chinese consumers.
Keep in mind China is Apple’s second largest consumer market, after the US. In the last quarter of 2012, China made Apple $6.8 billion dollars. So it makes perfect business sense for Apple to give in. It’s never good to bite the hands that feed you. But where does it stop? According to Global Times, a tabloid backed by the Communist Party, Apple’s apology only softened and eased tensions. I’m guessing that means tensions aren’t going away anytime soon. Last week, a state medium called Apple iPhone’s return policy ‘unparalleled arrogance’. I guess Apple’s going to have to apologize for that too. And Apple isn’t the only American based company going through this. Chinese media accused KFC chicken farmers?for adding excessive?antibiotics to their products. And they were forced to apologize.
Ever hear of the phrase ‘give an inch and they’ll take a mile’? I fear this is what China is doing. They know they have the fastest?growing economy in the world. They know they’re a rising major superpower. They know what kind of power they have these days.?They also know what kind of power media?have, especially if it’s state?owned and?operated. Are they using this new found power?for their people’s good??Or are?using this fame to?throw their weight around? My cynical self thinks it’s the latter. And?I doubt this is the last?time Apple?will apologize for something.?My question is: What will it be and how far will it go?