(March 17): Apple Inc needs to ease app store restrictions and fix “monopolistic” practices, the Chinese ruling party’s flagship newspaper said just days after the iPhone maker agreed to cut local app store fees in a major concession. The decision showed Chinese regulators are gaining ground in fighting anti-competitive behaviour, the People’s Daily wrote in a commentary published on Tuesday. The frank editorial underscored how Apple, which has clashed with Tencent Holdings Ltd and ByteDance Ltd over its iOS app store policies, may continue to face pressure from Beijing. “In point of fact, Apple’s App Store has long been criticised by the market for alleged monopolistic practices,” the People’s Daily wrote. “Tougher antitrust scrutiny of big tech firms has become an irreversible trend,” the People’s Daily wrote.

Source: The Edge Markets March 17, 2026 07:41 UTC