Genuine issue?
Is the department putting its best foot forward to defend China's emergent consumer nation from the rapacious foreigner, or angling for some sort of quid pro quo to "make the problem go away".
Hot on the heels of Apple’s well publicised run-in with the Chinese authorities over alleged deficiencies in its customer service, Microsoft is now being targeted by state-run media which claims its Surface Pro warranty terms do not comply with local laws. A China National Radio report on Monday claimed that Redmond is only …
For a country, state, county or even a town to enact a national or local law which states an electrical device such as a laptop, tablet or even phone must come with a three year all parts and labour warranty.
Without of course hiding the cost in the purchase price of the item.
Or companies could make devices that don't break down after a year? A warranty, after all, is simply an expression of the confidence the manufacturer has that their product won't fall apart. Asking for a computer to actually not break within 2 years of purchase is hardly asking a lot.
I think the Chinese are saying to Western business here that they are being allowed to be in the Chinese market and to prove they should continue to be allowed. Apple answered correctly and will likely be able to continue for now maybe, it seems they still are good strategists and have some wisdom here.
The Ballmerian push-back response was not as wise at all...