REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 13 (Reuters) - China has not issued a ban on the purchase and use of foreign phone brands, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday, in response to media reports that said some government agencies and firms had told staff to stop using Apple's iPhones at work.
"China has not issued laws, regulations or policy documents that prohibit the purchase and use of foreign brand phones such as Apple's," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing when asked about the reports.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to information and cyber security and treats both domestic and foreign companies as equals," she added.
Mao said China hoped all mobile phone companies would strictly abide its laws and regulations, as well as "strengthen information security management".
China has increasingly emphasized using locally-made tech products, as technology has become a major national security issue for Beijing and Washington.
Persons:
Andrew Kelly, Mao Ning, Mao, Ethan Wang, Bernard Orr, Christian Schmollinger
Organizations:
Apple, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Rights BEIJING, China, Beijing, Washington