Apple sells 2 million iPhone 5 handsets in China on launch weekend

Apple has announced that it's sold more than 2 million iPhone 5s in China in the three days since the device went on sale in the region.

"Customer response to iPhone 5 in China has been incredible, setting a new record with the best first weekend sales ever in China," explained Apple CEO Tim Cook.

By way of comparison, the iPhone launched in nine countries in September 2012 including the US, the UK and Japan and generated 5 million sales across its launch weekend.

Some, but not all

Apple's network partners in China include China Telecom and China Unicom.

However, the region's largest carrier China Mobile does not yet support the iPhone.

In fact, with more than 700 million subscribers, China Mobile is actually the world's single largest mobile phone operator. As such, it's no surprise that Apple is rumoured to be engaged in ongoing talks with the network.

"China is a very important market for us," continued Cook. "Customers there cannot wait to get their hands on Apple products."

[source: Apple]