Apple CEO Cook praises China partners as Beijing applies pressure

Tim Cook told the China Development Forum that Apple values Chinese developers and manufacturing partners and shares goals with China on green development; his remarks came days after the state-run People's Daily criticized Apple's App Store rules and urged further easing of restrictions.

Tim Cook spoke at the China Development Forum in Beijing and praised Chinese developers and the company’s manufacturing partners. He highlighted innovation, automation in factories, and shared goals with China on green development and carbon neutrality. The remarks came days after the state-run People's Daily criticized Apple’s App Store rules and called for further easing of restrictions. Apple recently reduced the fees it charges app developers in China and has diversified some assembly to Vietnam and India. Key points: - Tim Cook praised an "excellently talented" developer community and praised manufacturing automation while linking innovation to green development and education. - The People’s Daily criticized Apple’s App Store policies and urged the company to address what the paper described as monopolistic practices. - Apple lowered fees for developers in China earlier this month, a major concession in the market. - Revenue from China rose 38% to $25.5 billion in the holiday quarter that ended in December, according to the article. - Chinese Premier Li Qiang warned against politicizing supply chains and cited Apple as an example of a company with a diversified supply chain. Summary: The remarks underline ongoing engagement between Apple and Chinese partners amid regulatory and media scrutiny, with both sides emphasizing cooperation on shared goals. Officials and the company framed the exchange around stability, innovation and supply-chain considerations. Undetermined at this time.