Apple inches closer to selling its new iPad in China

Chinese regulators have approved Apple's license for the sale of a 3G device, which could mean the company will soon be able to sell its latest iPad in China, Dow Jones Newswires reported today.

The wire service cites the website of China's Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center, which lists an Apple device with 3G data capabilities. The notice on the website didn't name the device, which was listed as "model number A1430."

China has become an increasingly important market for Apple, driving explosive sales even as other regions see a slowing growth. As with other countries, Apple products represent highly coveted status symbols in China. But Apple can take advantage of the potentially huge base of customers there.

The device would be compatible with the network of Hong Kong's China Unicom, China's second-largest mobile operator. The company is Apple's partner in the release of other iPad devices.

Apple's latest versions of its iPhone and earlier versions of its iPad have already been approved and are sold in China. Vendors often begin selling new devices within weeks of network-access licenses being granted, according to Dow Jones.