Apple goes down in China

Company's online services go
offline as government apparently
blocks iTunes and iBooks
Apple has said that it is looking to get service
restored in what is its second largest market,
after the US
Workers prepare for the opening of a new
Apple store in Hangzhou, China Reuters
Apple is looking to get its online services
switched back on after they went offline in what
is its second largest market.
iTunes and iBooks are now unaccessible after
apparently being blocked by parts of the Chinese
government.
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 a statement emailed Friday 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.