Apple opens One More megastore in China amid William Barr criticism

Apple has just launched a stunning new megastore in Beijing’s trendy Sanlitun shopping district, reinforcing its strong foothold in China. This opening, however, comes at a tense moment—just one day after U.S. Attorney General William Barr accused Apple of bending too far to the will of the Chinese government. Let’s dive into this story of glitzy retail and geopolitical friction.

A Shiny New Store in Beijing

The Sanlitun megastore isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a bold leap forward. Replacing Apple’s first-ever China store from 2008, this new location doubles the original’s size and boosts the staff from 52 to 185. Over the past 12 years, the old store welcomed 22 million visitors, and Apple is betting big that its expanded presence will keep the crowds coming. It’s a clear sign of the company’s faith in China, a market where it holds about 10% of smartphone shipments (per Counterpoint Research), despite fierce competition from local giants like Huawei.

China isn’t just a sales hub for Apple—it’s the backbone of its manufacturing and a major driver of App Store revenue. This deep connection makes the new store more than a retail flex; it’s a symbol of Apple’s long-term commitment to the region.

William Barr’s Sharp Words

The celebration was barely underway when William Barr threw a curveball. In a speech delivered the day before the opening, Barr accused Apple and other U.S. tech firms of being overly “acquiescent” to China’s Communist government. He pointed to specific moves—like Apple’s removal of the Quartz news app from its Chinese App Store after Beijing objected to its Hong Kong protest coverage, or shifting iCloud data to China-based servers—as evidence of compliance that compromises user privacy.

Barr didn’t hold back, contrasting Apple’s willingness to meet Chinese demands with its refusal to unlock iPhones for U.S. law enforcement. “Do you think Apple phones sold in China are impervious to penetration by Chinese authorities?” he asked rhetorically. “They wouldn’t be sold there if they were.” His remarks are part of a broader U.S. push to curb China’s influence over American businesses, casting a shadow over Apple’s big day.

Apple’s Tightrope Walk

Apple hasn’t directly addressed Barr’s latest critique, but its stance has always been pragmatic: it follows local laws to keep serving customers and supporting jobs. The company often highlights its dedication to privacy and security, yet critics point to concessions—like pulling VPN apps that help users dodge China’s internet censorship—as proof that principles can bend under pressure.

Opening this megastore now feels like a defiant move, signaling that Apple isn’t backing away from China despite the political heat. With over 90 of its 271 U.S. stores shuttered due to the pandemic, China’s importance to Apple’s bottom line is clearer than ever. But with U.S.-China tensions simmering, this strategy isn’t without risk.

The Bigger Picture

Barr’s comments fit into a string of U.S. government warnings about China’s growing clout. He even hinted that corporate leaders pushing pro-China policies might face legal heat under laws like the Foreign Agents Registration Act. For Apple, caught between two superpowers, the stakes are high. The Sanlitun store’s debut underscores how vital China remains to its global game plan—but it also highlights the tightrope tech giants must walk in today’s divided world.

A Tricky Balance

Apple’s new Beijing megastore is a dazzling milestone, but it’s also a lightning rod in a storm of politics and profit. As the company doubles down on China, it faces tough questions about loyalty, privacy, and the cost of doing business on a global stage. For now, Apple seems ready to ride out the criticism, banking on China’s appetite for its products. How long it can keep this balancing act going, though, is anyone’s guess.