Apple CEO Tim Cook makes second visit to China amid declining sales

Apple CEO Tim Cook took to social media on Tuesday to announce that he was visiting China for the second time this year as the world's leading phone-making company works to bolster declining sales in its crucial overseas market.

While the iPhone maker remains popular among Chinese consumers, Apple has lost ground to domestic competitors amid the country's economic slowdown and diminishing consumption.

According to AFP, the Apple boss took to his official account on social media platform Weibo on Tuesday revealed that he met with Chinese university students using Apple products to boost sustainable farming practices.

Additionally, in a video uploaded to his Weibo account, Cook was seen exploring a historic district of Beijing alongside renowned fashion photographer Chen Man.

"It's great to be back in Beijing," Cook wrote in the caption of the video.

Apple reported a $21.4 billion profit in the three months ending in June, on $85.8 billion in revenue over the period. The revenue was a 5% jump from a year ago.

But the iPhone maker's sales in China have come under pressure from homegrown competitors like Huawei in recent years.

The company was only the sixth-biggest smartphone vendor in China in the second quarter, down from the third biggest in the equivalent period last year, according to data by Canalys, a market analysis firm.

Cook last visited China in March, when he opened a new Apple store in Shanghai and attended a forum in Beijing alongside other top executives.