Hao Peiqiang , the developer of bookstore app ‘jingdian shucheng’, told the Financial Times that the Cupertino-based iPhone creator sent a letter notifying him that the app was to be removed because it ‘includes content that is illegal in China’.

Banned books

According to the report, Apple did not specify the offending content, but Mr Hao suggested that three books by Chinese writer Wang Lixiong - whose works are mostly banned in China – were the most likely culprit.
The app – which only offers ten books in total – is still available outside China.
The news comes just days after Apple chief executive Tim Cook apologised to Chinese customers for its lack of understanding in operating and communicating in China.
Apple is yet to comment on its decision to remove the app.