China Sows Fresh Confusion About Apple With Security Remarks

The Chinese government’s position on Apple Inc. only grew more muddled Wednesday, with Beijing both pushing back on reports about iPhone restrictions but also raising concerns about security problems with the device.

“China has not issued laws and regulations to ban the purchase of Apple or foreign brands’ phones,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday. It marked the government’s first comments on reports that authorities are reining in employees’ use of Apple products.

Mao also said that the government attaches “great importance” to security and that all companies operating in China need ...