Apple is strengthening its position in China despite renewed scrutiny of its App Store rules. During the China Development Forum in Beijing, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook praised Chinese developers and manufacturing partners. His remarks came days after state media criticized Apple’s App Store practices and after the company reduced developer fees in the country.
Tim Cook used his speech in Beijing to present Apple as a company working closely with China on shared goals. He said Apple and China are aligned on innovation, education, and green development. He also referred to carbon neutrality and the role of technology in long-term growth.
Cook said Chinese developers have helped create new opportunities across the country. He also pointed to automation in factories as part of China’s changing manufacturing sector. In his speech, he said, “Innovation, green development and education are not separate properties — they are deeply connected.”
Cook said Apple wants to continue working with its partners across China. He also used a Chinese proverb to describe that relationship. “A single tree does not make a forest,” he said, while calling for broader cooperation.
Apple’s public message came while pressure over its App Store model continued in China. Earlier this month, the company lowered the commission it charges developers in the country. The cut marked a notable move in a market where Apple faces growing regulatory attention.
Pressure did not ease after the fee reduction. The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party, called on Apple to relax App Store restrictions further. The paper also urged the company to correct what it described as “monopolistic” practices.
Chinese regulators have also pushed for wider access to third-party payment systems and alternative app distribution channels. Apple is trying to address those concerns while maintaining control over its platform. The issue remains central to the company’s relationship with Chinese authorities.
Apple’s business in China has shown stronger momentum in recent months. Revenue from the region rose 38% to $25.5 billion in the December quarter. Demand for the latest iPhone models helped lift results, while some users switched from rival brands.
Apple’s smartphone sales in China also rose 23% during the first nine weeks of 2026, according to figures cited in the source text. The increase came while the broader smartphone market declined. Apple also kept iPhone 17 prices steady while some Android rivals raised prices because of higher memory chip costs.
Government subsidies linked to the base iPhone 17 also supported Apple’s position in the market. Local marketing efforts and e-commerce partnerships added support for sales. Recent figures suggest Apple has regained momentum in China after a weaker period.
Apple has expanded parts of its assembly network into India and Vietnam, but China remains the core of its manufacturing system. Cook said China is a major production base for Apple. Most Apple devices are built in the country, and about 80 of its top 100 suppliers operate there.
Premier Li Qiang also referred to Apple during the forum. He described the company as an example of a business with a diversified supply chain. He said, “If we politicize industrial issues and deliberately weaponize the supply chain, we will only increase costs for various companies and weaken development momentum.”
Li also said China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation to maintain the stability and security of the global supply chain. Apple’s position in China now depends on continued sales growth, regulatory engagement, and stable production ties.
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