Three people familiar with the matter told Reuters that the model was developed in partnership with Alibaba and trained with support from the Chinese technology company. They spoke anonymously because the information has not been made public.
Apple had previously relied on models from Chinese technology companies to bring generative AI features to its devices in China.
US-developed services such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude are not available in the country.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of AI tools, is expected to launch in China in the coming months after an iOS update.
A China-specific model could give Apple greater control over the AI experience on devices sold in the country.
It could also help the company meet China’s regulatory requirements, which challenge foreign technology companies.
The move comes as Apple faces strong competition from Chinese smartphone makers, including Huawei, that have moved quickly to introduce AI-powered features.
The absence of Apple Intelligence from Chinese iPhones has been cited as one factor affecting the company’s competitiveness as consumers increasingly choose domestic brands with built-in AI assistants.
The development follows a lengthy regulatory process. Last month, China’s Cyberspace Administration registered Apple’s generative AI service, clearing the way for Apple Intelligence to reach Chinese iPhones.
Under the existing arrangement, Alibaba’s Qwen model is expected to be incorporated into the version of Apple Intelligence for compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro devices sold in China. The service was also expected to include Baidu technology.
Apple recently published a Chinese-language guide showing eligible Mac users in mainland China how to connect Qwen to Siri and Apple’s Writing Tools. Apple later removed the guide without explanation.
Apple’s partnership with Alibaba was first confirmed in February 2025, when Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai said Apple had selected Alibaba to provide AI technology for its phones in China.
The rollout was later delayed as Apple worked to adapt its features to Chinese regulations.
China remains an important market for Apple, accounting for a significant share of its revenue.
The company’s latest AI strategy could help it strengthen its position while navigating the country’s regulatory environment.
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