VPN services are illegal in China. Apple doesn’t “gladly” remove the apps but they can’t just not comply with the law. But Apple has helpfully built VPN support directly into the operating system. Once you get the configuration stuff from your provider, you can set it up in the Settings app. Apple did the bare minimum of legal compliance by removing the apps, but also made it so you don’t need the apps in the first place.
You must not be aware then that Apple gladly removes VPN apps from the Chinese app store to continue selling their phones there
VPN services are illegal in China. Apple doesn’t “gladly” remove the apps but they can’t just not comply with the law. But Apple has helpfully built VPN support directly into the operating system. Once you get the configuration stuff from your provider, you can set it up in the Settings app. Apple did the bare minimum of legal compliance by removing the apps, but also made it so you don’t need the apps in the first place.