China criticises US TikTok bill as unfair, threatens action

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday to pass a bill that would allow the potential banning of TikTok's operations in the United States, if its owner, the Chinese company ByteDance, does not sell the platform to a party not connected with the Chinese government.

The spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry argued that this bill "puts the United States in conflict with the principle of fair competition and international economic and trade rules."

"If the excuse of so-called national security can be used to arbitrarily suppress successful companies from other countries, then there is no discussion of any fairness or justice," — Wang remarked during a daily briefing.

"The way the USA is addressing the TikTok issue clearly reveals to the world whether the so-called principles-based order benefits the global community or themselves," — Wang further stated.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce also voiced their opinion on the matter, cautioning that China "will take all necessary actions to resolutely defend its legitimate rights and interests."

"The United States should genuinely respect the principles of the market economy and fair competition and cease the unfair suppression of foreign companies," — He Yadong, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, mentioned at a press conference on Thursday.

Washington should also "ensure foreign companies experience an open, fair, and non-discriminatory environment for investment and business operations in the USA," — he concluded.