Tim Cook recently sat down with China’s Minister of Cyberspace Administration to discuss Chinese security concerns, and also took the opportunity to show the minister his company’s upcoming Apple Watch.
Cook was photographed showing off his wrist watch to Internet Information Officer Lu Wei, who is holding the device in his hand. Though the device is not identified in the source photo, it certainly appears to be the Apple Watch with white Sport Band frequently worn by Cook, and a translation of the original report quotes Cook as telling Lu he is the first outsider to see the watch.
Actually, the watch has been shown to other outsiders since its unveiling, as it has been featured in Vogue China, and at the Parisian fashion boutique Colette. However, Lu may be one of the first government officials to get a peek at the device.
China – which is already a hotbed for smartwatches – is a highly attractive market to Apple, even though the company will face regulatory hurdles in getting the Apple Watch to market there.
Lu reportedly reminded Cook that while the country is willing to open its markets to new products and technology, they must first pass an official network security assessment. The assessment ensures national security remains uncompromised, and that a user’s personal information is being accessed properly.
