Illustration: Liu Xidan/GT
In the fast-paced world of technology, Apple has announced an online seminar designed specifically for Chinese developers, highlighting the tech giant's acknowledgment of this group's significance. Scheduled for Tuesday, the seminar will be presented in Chinese and include a question-and-answer session with Apple's experts. This move demonstrates Apple's efforts to enhance communication and interaction with the Chinese developer community.
In an era where the smartphone has become an indispensable item in our daily lives, the diversification of app functionalities - from payments and online chats to shopping and travel - showcases the digital landscape's expanding capability to satisfy a wide range of human needs and wants, thereby creating a vast market. Global consumer spending in mobile apps and games in 2024 reached $127 billion across the APP Store and Google Play, up 15.7 percent from the previous year, the Xinhua News Agency reported, citing data from mobile analytics and intelligence firm Appfigures.
In this rapidly evolving market, Chinese apps have performed well. By consumer spending, the top app globally was TikTok, with an estimated $2.5 billion across iOS and Android, not counting APP stores in China, Xinhua reported. Temu was the most downloaded app in the US with 48 million installs, Appfigures found. Emerging apps are also demonstrating impressive profitability. From the booming short video sector and cross-border e-commerce sector to the rapid adoption of AI-powered apps, Chinese developers are at the forefront of mobile innovation.
In terms of technological innovation, Chinese apps leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing and 5G, showcasing strong technical capabilities. The vast internet user base in China provides rich data resources that further promote app innovation and development.
Apple is presumably acutely aware of the rapid advancements made by Chinese apps and developers. Referencing a study by an associate professor at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Apple said its App Store ecosystem in China generated 3.76 trillion yuan ($519.2 billion) in developer billings and sales in 2023, a significant leap from 1.65 trillion yuan in 2019, Chinese business and financial media outlet Yicai reported.
The report released by Apple shows that those Chinese developers have achieved global success, with their apps appearing on the App Store in 175 countries and regions, reaching more than 2.2 billion active devices worldwide. This trend marks an acceleration in the internationalization of China's mobile app industry, as an increasing number of Chinese apps penetrate the global market.
Whether in China or on the international stage, the App Store's ecosystem cannot thrive without Chinese developers. The growth and expansion of the Apple APP Store's ecosystem benefit from the support of Chinese technology. It is estimated that millions of people in China are actively contributing to the development of this ecosystem, something that is unachievable in many countries around the world. According to a report from 2022, the number of registered developers for Apple in China had surpassed 5 million. The current figure is likely even higher.
It's hardly surprising that Apple is willing to support Chinese developers, given the mutually beneficial relationship that has emerged between the APP Store and Chinese developers. In its 2024 report, Apple expressed its commitment to assisting Chinese developers in growing their app businesses. To create more opportunities, Apple is working closely with developers and coding learners across China, helping them to acquire the necessary skills to become world-class app creators and business professionals, the report said.
Apple has launched a WeChat account dedicated to serving Chinese developers, offering news, announcements and updates on events tailored to the Chinese-speaking developer community. This move underscores Apple's growing focus on engaging with the Chinese-speaking developer community. The series of activities announced are expected to enhance communication and interaction between Apple and this vibrant community.
Certainly, with the emergence of new technologies and the development of new business models, there may arise some issues and challenges. From this perspective, it is essential for Apple to enhance its engagement with Chinese developers. The event scheduled for Tuesday, although lasting only two hours, along with other activities, is expected to facilitate increased interaction between Apple and Chinese developers, fostering a mutually beneficial and constructive partnership that promotes mutual growth and success.
The author is a reporter with the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn
