Apple hopes to Create Massive New Market for its Products in China

Apple currently has two Apple stores in Beijing and also two in Shanghai.

It plans to open 25 stores in China by 2011.

**Apple has revamped its iTunes and App Store, allowing Chinese locals to shop online in Chinese for the first time.

China has 800 million mobile users and 400 million internet users. But, so far, Western companies have not yet been able to profit much from this huge market due to a culture of piracy.

Apple relaunched its Chinese iTunes Store and App Store in October, and is making an effort to highlight localized apps.

****Previously, people had to use a US-based credit card, or one with dual currency capability, to make online purchases in the App Store or iTunes Store. The new revamped stores allow people to directly transfer money from banks, which is the preferred method for making Internet purchases in China.

Reference: "Apple revamps its China App Store" article in San Jose Mercury News, by John Boudreau