China pledges to safeguard its companies
In a strong rebuke to the United States, China has vehemently criticized a recently approved US bill that directly targets TikTok, the popular short-video app owned by Chinese technology giant ByteDance. The bill, which passed in the US House of Representatives, threatens to ban TikTok unless it severs its ties with its Chinese parent company. Beijing has labeled Washington’s approach as indicative of a “bandit” mentality and has vowed to take all necessary measures to safeguard the interests of its companies operating overseas.
The proposed legislation underscores growing concerns among Western nations regarding TikTok’s ownership and its alleged subservience to the Chinese Communist Party. Despite TikTok’s global popularity, its ties to China have raised apprehensions, particularly among US lawmakers who view the app’s access to American user data as a potential national security threat.
Chinese officials have strongly criticized the bill, arguing that it contravenes principles of fair competition and international trade rules. They have urged the US to provide a more open and nondiscriminatory environment for foreign companies to operate in the country. Additionally, Beijing has cautioned that it will retaliate against any measures perceived as unjustly targeting Chinese firms.
The passage of the bill in the US House of Representatives marks a rare display of bipartisan unity in Washington. However, its fate in the Senate remains uncertain, as some lawmakers are cautious about implementing drastic measures against an app with a substantial user base of 170 million Americans.
TikTok has consistently denied allegations that it operates under the control of the Chinese government. Its CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has called on users to oppose the proposed ban, emphasizing TikTok’s commitment to data privacy and security. Nevertheless, the app’s central role in the ongoing tensions between China and the US underscores broader geopolitical issues related to technology, trade, and national security.
As the bill awaits further deliberation in the Senate, tensions between China and the US continue to simmer, with both sides engaging in rhetoric and actions that reflect the broader competition for technological supremacy and influence on the global stage.
Business News: China pledges to safeguard its companies
