Tim Cook in Chengdu
Tim Cook visited Chengdu for Apple’s 50th‑anniversary event amid fresh pressure over App Store fees — state media urged fixes and Apple has recently lowered some fees as scrutiny grows (x.com) (x.com). The trip underscores Apple’s PR and regulatory balancing act in China during a high‑profile milestone (x.com).
Tim Cook appeared on stage at Apple’s Taikoo Li retail location in Chengdu on March 18, joining Chengdu‑born pop star Li Yuchun for a live performance and greeting the crowd in Chinese. (macrumors.com) The company’s developer notice says the standard App Store commission for the China mainland storefront was changed to 25% from 30%, effective March 15, 2026. (developer.apple.com) Apple’s update also cut rates for developers in its Small Business Program and Mini Apps Partner Program from 15% to 12%, and extended the lower 12% rate to eligible auto‑renewing subscriptions after the first year. (developer.apple.com) Bloomberg and other outlets report the fee shift followed months of talks with Chinese regulators — with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) engaging Apple and developers as early as 2024. (bloomberg.com) China’s flagship party paper, People’s Daily, published a commentary this week urging Apple to go further — specifically to open its ecosystem to third‑party payments and loosen other App Store restrictions. (bloomberg.com) Cook’s Chengdu appearance is followed by broader China engagements this month: he’s scheduled to attend the China Development Forum on March 22–23, while Apple COO Sabih Khan has been touring suppliers including Foxconn and Sunwoda as the company balances sales, supply‑chain ties and regulatory talks. (globaltimes.cn) (scmp.com)
