Despite what seemed like unstoppable progress, even to the point where iPhone models began appearing on the Chinese carriers website, reports today suggest that talks between Apple and China Unicom have come to a halt.

Talks between China Unicom and Apple to introduce iPhone into China came to a halt as Apple was said to have asked the Chinese telecoms carrier to stand costs of building Apple special stores in this country after China Unicom agreed on a profit-sharing plan proposed by Apple.

The article goes onto state that when China Unicom executives were asked about the issue they stated that talks were ongoing but had no specific details.