Cook optimistic that apps pulled down from App Store in China will be back

Cook said he couldn't be happier with how the iPhone X is doing in China

Apple Inc is optimistic that some of its popular apps removed from its China App Store this year to comply with government requests will be reinstated, the US tech giant's Chief Executive Tim Cook said on Wednesday.

Cook, speaking at the Fortune Forum in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, also stressed that he believes strongly in freedoms, a comment seen by many as a response to a US democratic senator's remarks on Tuesday that Apple had a moral obligation to promote free expression.

Apple is facing criticism from local users and rights groups for bowing to pressure from Beijing cyber regulators