Apple will reportedly partner with Chinese firms Baidu and Alibaba to roll out its AI service in China. Apple Intelligence has been registered with China’s cyberspace regulator, as Apple clears a significant hurdle that could finally vang the AI service to the country.

The Chinese version of Apple Intelligence will incorporate local Baidu and Alibaba models to comply with the country’s complex regulatory laws relating to AI and privacy. The specific role of Baidu is less clear, but a spokesperson confirmed its involvement in developing features.

If it has indeed been given the green light, Apple Intelligence could arrive in China two years after it launched in the US. China is one of Apple’s largest and fastest‑growing markets, with reports of Apple working with Alibaba and Baidu to bring its AI features to China emerging as far back as early 2025.

An Alibaba spokesperson said its Qwen model will be incorporated into the version that eventually ships with compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro models in China. No release date yet, but regulator approval is presumably necessary for Apple to bring new features like the overhauled Siri AI to Chinese customers.