Li Ming, manager of Chinese chain appliance store Five Star Appliance, revealed that the store has received a request from Apple to remove iPad 2 tablets from its outlets in Qingdao before Feb. 21. The request comes as part of the ongoing Chinese iPad trademark dispute.

However, Li stated that the local commercial authorities have so far not instructed the store to remove the tablet from its stock. The store had sold out of iPad 2s by Feb. 11 and its display models have subsequently been taken down.

Li commented that the move is likely related to the rumored release of the iPad 3 in China in the first week of March.

The rumor also explains the shortage of iPad 2s at certain outlets of another Chinese electrical appliance giant, Suning Appliance.

A manager at Suning stated that the company had not been instructed to pull iPad 2 tablets from their outlets and said it would abide by the final verdict which is due on Feb. 29.

The manager also confirmed that Suning is currently undertaking an audit of its stock and that iPad2 tablets are still available at some of its outlets.