China has urged the United States to consider rational perspectives regarding the TikTok ban, emphasizing the app’s positive roles in boosting domestic employment and consumption.
Despite previous plans to enforce a ban due to national security concerns, the service was restored following interventions credited to President-elect Donald Trump.
China hopes for a non-discriminatory business environment in the US, highlighting TikTok’s popularity and long-standing presence in the country.
Trump made the call on Sunday as a federal divest-or-ban law aiming to sever Tiktok’s ties with Chinese parent company ByteDance came into effect, which saw the app become unavailable across the US.
“For such actions as corporate operations and acquisitions, we always believe that they should be decided independently by companies based on market principles,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing on Monday.
“If Chinese companies are involved, they should comply with Chinese laws and regulations,” she added.
During the press conference, Mao pointed out that TikTok has been operating in the US for years and is loved by American users.
“We hope that the United States can listen carefully to rational voices and provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for market entities from all countries to operate in the United States,” Mao said.
Incoming president Trump on Sunday said he would temporarily block a nationwide ban on TikTok with an executive order to extend the period of time before prohibitions came into effect on the law, and to protect companies that distribute or host TikTok from liability.
Trump also said he would like a final resolution on the app’s fate with a joint venture that gives the US a 50 per cent ownership position in TikTok, which would “keep it in good hands and allow it to stay up”.
The TikTok bill passed by Congress in April and signed into law by departing President Joe Biden allows the president to extend its deadline by 90 days if a sale is in progress, but there are still no announced buyers.
ByteDance has previously stated that it would not sell TikTok, and the company has yet to respond to Trump’s proposal.
“Without US approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions,” Trump said.
Mao noted on Monday that TikTok had “played a positive role” in the promotion of employment and stimulation of consumption in the US.
One of TikTok’s popular features is a built-in e-commerce platform launched in 2023.
Tech billionaire and X owner Elon Musk entered the fray on Sunday, saying he was against banning the app because that would go against freedom of speech.
“That said, the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced,” he said on X, adding that “something needs to change”.
In response to a question about Musk’s comment, Mao said China managed its internet access in accordance with the law, and that companies were welcome to develop in the country as long as they abide by Chinese laws and regulations.
