China says it has not issued a ban on purchase and/or use of iPhones

Edit: The ministry says that they have noticed some "security concerns" involving iPhones though. They're not officially acknowledging the ban among government departments but these reports highlight a growing a concern at least of what is happening behind the scenes:

• China has widened existing curbs on use of iPhones by state employees - report
• Another report highlighting China's ban on iPhones to local governments, state-owned firms