Embodiments of this application provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for physical cell identifier (PCI) conflict detection and optimization. One method includes: receiving a PCI conflict detection notification message for triggering the control network element to perform PCI conflict detection; determining that a PCI conflict exists in at least two cells; determining whether the at least two cells are managed by the control network element; in response to determining that the at least two cells are cells managed by the control network element, performing PCI optimization on PCI conflicted cells managed by the control network element, wherein the PCI conflicted cells comprise the at least two cells; and in response to determining that at least one of the at least two cells is not a cell managed by the control network element, sending a PCI optimization request message to a first management network element, wherein the PCI optimization request message requests the first management network element to perform PCI optimization.