In similar comments, China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong told reporters that the United States “should truly respect the principles of market economy and fair competition” and “stop unfair pressure on foreign enterprises.”
He added that China will take all necessary measures to protect its interests.
Ahead of the vote, Beijing warned that the ban would “ultimately backfire on the United States itself.”
House voted for the adoption of the law On Wednesday, the vote was 325 in favor and 65 against, with one member present. Now he goes to the Senate, where he is may face more scrutiny.
the president Joe Bidenwhose TikTok has joined the election campaign again said last month that he would sign the bill if it passed both houses of Congress.
TikTok has waged a vigorous campaign against legislation it says is “stalled” in the House of Representatives. The company warned about the potential economic impact of the bill small business owners who depend on the program and urged its 170 million US users to oppose it.
On Wednesday, the TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew He said the ban would put hundreds of thousands of American jobs at risk and “give more power to a handful of social media companies.”
“Make your voices heard,” he said in the video he shared TikTok and X.
In testimony to Congress last year, Chew said that ByteDance was “not an agent of China” and that TikTok had “never shared or received requests to share US user data with the Chinese government.”
He said he had information about TikTok’s American users Moved to US servers It is run by Texas-based Oracle and, according to the new structure, “there is no way for the Chinese government to access it or force access.”
House lawmakers who voted on the legislation on Wednesday nonetheless expressed concern that China could gain information about Americans through TikTok or distribute content on the app to influence their opinions, especially during this year’s election.
The bill creates a process for the US president to ban a social media app controlled by a foreign adversary from US app stores unless the US president deems it a national security threat and cuts ties with that country within six months.
Some House lawmakers who voted against the legislation argued that the United States should not follow China in selectively blocking social media platforms, citing free speech concerns.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang said Thursday that the US’s handling of TikTok is “completely different” from policies in China, where social media is heavily censored and Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X and other platforms are inaccessible.
“We have always welcomed various foreign platforms and services to enter the Chinese market as long as they comply with Chinese laws and regulations,” he said.
The issue of TikTok, which Biden pointed to in an NBC News poll in January, will resonate in the upcoming presidential election. struggles disproportionately with young TikTok users.
Former president Donald TrumpWHO He secured the Republican nomination this week, said that he is against the ban in the last days after the initial support.
The US legislation has raised questions about whether other countries will follow suit. Prime Minister of Australia on Thursday Anthony Albanese While TikTok is not allowed on state phones, it said there are no plans to ban its use by the public.
He said in a radio interview: “Your national security issues should always be front and center.” “But you also have to admit that for a lot of people it provides a way of communicating.”
Mithil Aggarwal reported from Hong Kong and Rae Wang reported from Beijing.