CRI听力:Sales of New iPad Start in China

Sales of Apple's new iPad started today in China, utilizing a new online reservation system aimed at eliminating the chaos which marred the company's recent product launches. Apple devices are extremely popular in China, and the 60 million US dollar trademark settlement with technology company Proview earlier this month paved the way for eager Chinese consumers to get their hands on the new tablet.

The new system which started yesterday, requires customers to reserve their new iPad on the company's website. Customers pay at the store when they pick up the device.

Mr Qin from Taiwan, who is buying his second new iPad today, is pleased with the reservation system.

"It's great... I bought one on tao bao, an online shopping... I use it for searching information, and for my inventions"

When the iPhone 4s launched this January, eggs were thrown at the large glass windows, and the impatient and angry crowds forced Apple to close the store and suspend sales of the new phone. Today's launch is subdued in comparison, with no obvious scalper presence.

For Mr Lin, it's not the first time he's come on the first day for an apple product

"I bought my iPhone on the first day."

"The reservation system is easier - last time we had to wait overnight to get one."

Today's launch is a resounding success, and sure to serve as a blueprint for future new product introductions in China.

Linda, an accountant, made a reservation yesterday on the apple website "i received an email which told me to come here july 20 between 8 and 9, so i came here"

Chen Xu who says he buys all of Apple's products, is similarly impressed with the ease of buying his new iPad.

"It's great!"

There are several reasons he likes Apple products so much.

"They're user friendly, portable..... and fashionable."

Yao Yue, an engineer, is ready to upgrade from his previous version of the iPad.

"i've been waiting for the launch of the new iPad in China, so here I am. I have been using an iPad 1 but the system is a bit slow, so I wanted a new one."

"I'm an android engineer, but i prefer to use the iOS system, because it's smoother, and there are more apps - i like that."

"It's very fashionable design, it's very user-friendly, and it's a status symbol for image conscious Chinese people."

Apple is clearly doing something right in China, and has become the company's second largest market after the US. In the first 3 months of this year, Apple's sales in China totaled 7.9 billion US dollars, 20% of the company's global total. 2 years ago, China was just 2% of total sales.

With Apple's European and North American markets reaching saturation point, millions of new Chinese rich and middle class will surely make up a bigger and bigger share of Apple's sales in the years to come. And with the lessons Apple has learned from today's launch, it looks set to be a peaceful rise.

For CRI, I'm Seth Coleman