(By You Yunting) At the end of 2025, I was still thinking on the question: “Global regulation is forcing down Apple Tax—why is China the exception?” Unexpectedly, just a few months later, in March 2026, Apple made a historic adjustment: it dropped standard App Store commission rate from 30% to 25%, and lowered the commission rate for small business and mini apps partner programme from 15% to 12% in China. However, compared with more open ecosystems such as the EU and Japan, China still maintains a closed ecosystem, and its commission rates are not yet optimal. The following examines the real significance of this commission rate cut and whether there is still room for further reduction.