China orders stepped-up scrutiny on Apple

Apple is to face “strengthened supervision” from China’s consumer watchdogs, state media reported on Friday, as the US computer giant is hit by a barrage of negative publicity and court cases in the country.

China is Apple’s second-biggest market, and its iPhones and other products – many of them made in the country – are highly popular, although it faces fierce competition from South Korea’s Samsung.

State media have carried a series of attacks against Apple, with the , the Communist Party’s official mouthpiece, running critical items for five consecutive days over alleged double standards in customer service and returns policies.

Apple has denied those accusations in statements to Chinese media but the condemnations have continued unabated, with the newspaper urging consumers to “strike away Apple’s unparalleled arrogance” in one of its commentaries.

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) has asked trading standards bodies across the country to step up “contract supervision” on electronics manufacturers “such as Apple”, the said on Friday.

“Local governments are required to ... investigate and punish illegal activities in accordance with the law,” it quoted the SAIC as saying in an official note.