Beijing/Shanghai, May 16

Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook visited Beijing today, days after announcing a $1 billion deal with ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing, and as the US firm tries to reinvigorate sales in China, its second-largest market after the United States.

From weakening smartphone sales to the loss of an iPhone trademark dispute and the suspension of some of its online entertainment services, Apple has been facing a flurry of problems in recent weeks in China.

Cook has planned to meet high-level government officials, a source familiar with the matter said earlier this month.

At an Apple Store in central Beijing today, Cook met with Didi Chuxing President Jean Liu. Cook has said the investment would help Apple better understand the critical Chinese market. Didi is working towards an IPO in the United States that would likely take place in 2018, a source said today.