BEIJING—Apple Inc. said Friday it hopes to resume its online iTunes and iBooks services in China, where they were recently shut down less than seven months after being launched.
The New York Times reported Thursday that Apple’s online movie and book stores initially received government approval but were blocked last week on orders from the broadcasting regulator, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.
Apple said in an emailed statement that it hoped the services could resume “as soon as possible,” but offered no details about the shutdown.
The broadcasting regulator has been stretching its authority to online content, which is also regulated by other government agencies and ministries. Calls to the administration’s media office rang unanswered Friday.
China is Apple’s second largest market after the U.S. and a key driver of its sales growth, with stylish stores selling Apple products now a feature of almost all major cities. In February, the tech giant launched its smartphone-based payment system, Apple Pay, in China, making it the fifth country where the service is offered.
