I think you're right about the conflating although now I'm doubly confused since Reuters says this started back in April - before the VPN dust-up and before the app purge in June.
> The law firm invited developers to join the complaint in April and on Tuesday filed it to China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission, which oversees antitrust matters in the country.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-apple-idUSKBN1AQ1B3
> The law firm invited developers to join the complaint in April and on Tuesday filed it to China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission, which oversees antitrust matters in the country.