According to IDG News, last month Chinese regulators approved a new iPhone with 3G and WAPI, or WLAN Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure. WAPI is a natively created Chinese security protocol for wireless internet access.
"China has promoted the protocol, along with other homegrown technologies like the 3G standard TD-SCDMA, as part of a vision to produce more of its own technology and have it adopted by international companies," the report said.
It also noted that the new iPhone, which is just the existing model with wireless internet, could also support standard Wi-Fi.
Apple Insider reports that the new handset has not yet been released for sale.