Chinese government workers banned from buying Apple products

China has also banned Microsoft Windows 8

The security measures are designed to prevent unauthorised access to Apple users' online iCloud accounts (Getty Images)

The Chinese government has banned its officials from buying a range of Apple products, amid escalating hostilities towards US technology companies in connection with security concerns.

Products which cannot be bought with public money in China include: the iPad, iPad Mini, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, according to officials who spoke to Bloomberg.

While the models were allegedly available on a June procurement list compiled by the National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Finance, they were reportedly omitted from the July edition.

The move makes Apple the latest US technology firm that the Chinese government has blocked its staff from purchasing with public funds, over claims of hacking and cyberspying following leaks by Edward Snowden.

The whistleblower has claimed that the US National Security Agency had gained secret access into Chinese telecoms giant Huawie’s communications equipment. In turn, the US Government accused Huawei of risking national security. But the company responded by calling the allegations "little more than an exercise in China-bashing," the Wall Street Journal reported.

In May, it emerged that China had banned US firm Microsoft’s new Windows 8 operating system and software giants Symantec and Kaspersky Lab from government computers, due to concerns regarding the use of energy-efficient technology.