Apple's chief executive has visited a newly built iPhone and iPad production line in China, where its operations have faced accusations of harsh labor conditions.

The California-based company said Thursday that its new CEO Tim Cook toured the Foxconn Zhengzhou Technology Park in the north central province of Henan.

Foxconn is the Taiwanese company that assembles most of Apple's products. The companies have moved to improve labor practices following several recent reports that Chinese workers are subject to low pay and dangerous work environments.

Cook is visiting China for the first time since taking over Apple in August following the death of founder Steve Jobs. His visit included talks with Vice Premier Li Keqiang. State media say Li promised to strengthen intellectual property rights in China.

The promise comes as Apple, the world's most valuable technology company, is involved in a legal battle with the struggling Taiwan-based IT company Proview, which claims to have registered the iPad trademark.

Cook's closely guarded itinerary also included talks with Beijing's mayor and a visit to one of Apple's two retail stores in the capital.