China's permits for Apple Intelligence list two Alibaba models among three approved AI systems

Two of the three approved systems are Alibaba's ^[8]: Tongyi Qianwen for text and Tongyi Wanxiang for images and video ^[1]. Apple's global design has three tiers, an on-device model, Private Cloud Compute on Apple silicon servers, and an opt-in OpenAI integration ^[5]. In China, according to TechTimes, the second and third are both replaced by Alibaba ^[6], and Alibaba's image model replaces Apple's own creative tools ^[2]. One of the three tiers stays Apple's ^[11].

The calendar is a smaller puzzle. The MIIT filings were completed 76 days after the CAC approval ^[9] and surfaced publicly 15 days after completion ^[10]. Apple is reportedly targeting an iOS 27.3 update in December 2026 ^[3], nearly two years after the features debuted globally ^[7].

We think the angle holds. The China build is the same on-device product with a different cloud behind it, and the filings establish only what was approved ^[1]. The Siri AI exclusion rests on Bloomberg's reporting ^[4] and the December date is a reported target ^[3], so both can move.

Apple could file Siri AI separately and add it after launch. The December build could ship with fewer exclusions than Bloomberg describes. Or Apple could show that some cloud work stays on its own silicon, though TechTimes says Apple's privacy-preserving cloud infrastructure does not apply in China ^[2]. We would be wrong if a later MIIT listing added an Apple server system, or if Apple said China queries go through Private Cloud Compute.