Apple Inc's earnings in China quadrupled in the first fiscal quarter of 2011, hitting $2.6 billion, China Business News reported Thursday, citing the company's Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook.

Apple's four stores operating in China have the heaviest customer flow and the best earning record around the globe, said Peter Oppenheimer, chief financial officer of the company.

Due to the booming Chinese market, Apple plans to open another 21 stores in China within two years to reinforce its own sales channel.

At present, other than Apple stores, Chinese customers can purchase the iPhone or iPad only at China Unicom or big retailers such as Suning Appliance and Best Buy, the report said.

The gross profit rate of iPhone was more than twice the industry's average, said He Jinxiao, researcher at China Merchants Securities. He added that Apple would take 60-70 percent of the profit.

According to Apple's financial report released on Jan 19, the company's first quarter net profit hit a record high of $6 billion, a 78 percent year-on-year increase. Apple has sold 16.2 million iPhones and more than 7.3 million iPads during the quarter, the newspaper said.

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