BEIJING: China criticized the approval of a US bill on Thursday, aiming to ban TikTok unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company. Beijing condemned Washington’s “bandit” mentality and pledged to take “all necessary measures” to safeguard the interests of its companies abroad.
TikTok, the popular short-video app, has faced scrutiny globally due to its ownership by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, raising concerns about its alleged ties to Beijing’s ruling Communist Party.
The US House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday that would compel TikTok to divest from its parent company or face a nationwide ban, although it must still clear the Senate to become law.
In response, China’s commerce ministry spokesperson He Yadong emphasized the importance of respecting market principles and fair competition. He urged the US to provide an open and non-discriminatory environment for foreign companies.
Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin criticized the bill, stating it contradicted the principles of fair competition and international trade rules. Wang characterized the move as akin to “the logic of a bandit” seizing opportunities arbitrarily.
Prior to the vote, Beijing cautioned that the proposed ban would have repercussions for the United States. Despite bipartisan support in the House, the bill faces a more challenging path in the Senate.
TikTok has consistently refuted allegations of being controlled by China’s Communist Party. CEO Shou Zi Chew has rallied users against the bill, emphasizing opposition to the proposed ban.
The tensions surrounding TikTok underscore broader geopolitical frictions between China and the United States over technology, trade, and human rights. Washington’s actions have sparked criticism from Beijing, which perceives them as attempts to suppress China’s advancement on the global stage.
