Alibaba, Baidu Shares Jump 5% and 4% as Apple Adds Their AI in China
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 16
Alibaba, Baidu Shares Jump 5% and 4% as Apple Adds Their AI in China
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 16
Summary
Hong Kong-listed Alibaba rose 5% and Baidu gained 4% after both companies confirmed their AI tools will power Apple Intelligence features for users in China.
Alibaba said its Qwen model will be integrated across iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS in China, letting users access text and image generation inside Apple services rather than switching apps.
The move follows a Wednesday notice from China's cyberspace regulator that listed Apple Intelligence among approved smartphone-based AI services, clearing a key hurdle for rollout in the market.
The partnership lands as U.S.-China tech rivalry intensifies around AI, with Washington restricting China's access to advanced chips and Beijing tightening barriers around foreign involvement in domestic tech.
Is Apple's dual-AI strategy a necessary compromise for China or a blueprint for the permanent fragmentation of global technology?
While the US restricts AI chips, has China's software-first strategy found an unstoppable, hardware-agnostic path to dominance?
Apple Intelligence Gains Regulatory Approval in China: Strategic Partnerships with Alibaba and Baidu Reshape AI Market
Overview
On July 15, 2026, Apple received crucial approval from the Cyberspace Administration of China to launch its Apple Intelligence platform, marking a major step in bringing advanced AI features like a revamped Siri to Chinese users. To succeed in this highly competitive market, Apple is partnering with leading Chinese tech firms, notably integrating Alibaba’s Qwen large language model and involving Baidu in feature development. These collaborations enable Apple to offer sophisticated text and image AI capabilities, helping the company strengthen its position and regain market share amid strong local competition as it prepares for the iPhone 18 launch.