
China has seen TikTok frenzy in Washington before with the 2020 Trump executive order blocked by Beijing and Montana’s TikTok ban blocked by a federal judge.
US lawmakers passed a bill forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a US ban, but China has not retaliated yet; experts cite uncertainty in the Senate and Trump’s opposing view as reasons for China’s restraint.
TikTok, popular among younger Americans, has a significant global user base. Concerns about CCP influence and data access persist in Washington.
Despite efforts to address security concerns, there is still distrust between TikTok and Washington. If a sale is forced, China could block it due to export controls on sensitive technology.
In China, selling TikTok’s algorithm to a foreign company is unlikely. Chinese media criticizes US double standards in protecting freedom of speech and stirs outrage over the treatment of Chinese companies.
Chinese social media users mobilize against the House bill, viewing it as theft and a threat to free-market competition for Chinese-owned tech companies.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson was noncommittal on the TikTok issue, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Beijing and Washington over the popular app.
Olivia Wang contributed research from Hong Kong.