Fact check: Is apple locked to work with China and do they invest money there?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Apple is indeed heavily locked into working with China and has made substantial investments there. The evidence shows that Apple's relationship with China goes far beyond simple business transactions:

Financial Investment Scale:

• Apple's investments in China reached $55 billion per year by 2015 ^[1]
• Tim Cook and other top Apple officials agreed to a $275 billion investment in China over five years during meetings with the Chinese government ^[2]

Operational Dependence:

• Apple has trained at least 28 million workers in advanced manufacturing since 2008, indicating a massive commitment to developing China's industrial capabilities ^[1]
• The company is heavily dependent on Chinese engineers and technicians for iPhone production, even in facilities outside China like India ^{[3] [4]}
• Apple's attempts to diversify production to India are facing disruption due to China's efforts to restrict technology transfer and skilled labor exports ^[3]

Recent Performance:

• Despite geopolitical tensions, iPhone sales in China rose 8% year-on-year, marking the first growth in two years ^{[5] [6]}

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several critical dimensions of Apple's China relationship:

National Security Implications:

• Apple faces potential risks from partnerships with Chinese military chipmaker YMTC, including threats to national security and privacy ^[7]
• The company is experiencing U.S. scrutiny over its relationship with Alibaba regarding AI deals ^[8]

Geopolitical Vulnerabilities:

• Apple's heavy reliance on China makes it vulnerable to the country's authoritarian tendencies ^[2]
• The company finds itself stuck between Trump's tariff threats and China's retaliation, highlighting the precarious nature of its position ^[3]

Supply Chain Control:

• China is actively restricting the movement of Chinese engineers and technicians to Apple's Indian facilities, demonstrating Beijing's leverage over Apple's global operations ^[4]

Who Benefits from Different Narratives:

• Chinese government officials benefit from portraying Apple as a committed long-term partner, legitimizing their industrial policies
• U.S. national security hawks benefit from emphasizing Apple's vulnerabilities to push for supply chain diversification
• Apple executives benefit from downplaying their dependence while maintaining access to Chinese markets and manufacturing

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral but significantly understates the complexity and depth of Apple's entanglement with China. The framing suggests a simple yes/no answer about business relationships, when the reality involves:

• Massive financial commitments that go beyond typical foreign investment
• Strategic dependence on Chinese manufacturing capabilities and workforce
• Geopolitical vulnerabilities that affect national security considerations
• Active Chinese government leverage over Apple's global operations

The question's simplicity could mislead readers into thinking this is merely a standard business relationship rather than a complex web of dependencies that has significant implications for technology security, supply chain resilience, and geopolitical stability.