ChinaTalk: Apple in China

Patrick McGee is the author of Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company. Our discussion led us through a detailed history of Apple’s relationship with China, where iPhone manufacturing became a project of nation-building. 

Today, our conversation covers: 

• Why Apple moved production to China in the 1990s, and why it struggles to leave,

• How Apple’s obsession with perfection catalyzed China’s industrial upgrading, 

• The political side of production in China, including how Apple’s relationship with the Chinese authorities has evolved over time, 

• The rise of Foxconn and other partners in Apple’s network, 

• Fun anecdotes about Apple’s management style, including the “Divorce Avoidance Program.” 

Co-hosting today is Kyle Chan, a postdoc at Princeton and author of the High Capacity Substack. 

Outro music: Apple Blossom — The White Stripes (YouTube Link)

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