The Chinese government has intensified a co-ordinated public campaign against Apple, slamming the technology group as “dishonest”, “greedy” and “incomparably arrogant” and threatening regulatory action if the US company does not improve its after-sales service policies.

Following a series of scathing and apparently choreographed reports in China’s biggest state media outlets, the country’s quality inspection bureau said on Thursday that Apple would have to change some of its warranty policies or face “severe repercussions according to relevant laws and regulations”.

However in a country regularly exposed to public health scandals involving adulterated infant formula, toxic food additives and industrial pollution, Apple’s alleged transgressions have been met with a tepid response from the public.