China says TikTok does not pose a threat to US national security.
China has warned the United States against plans to ban TikTok, insisting that it would “come back to bite” the US as Congress is set to vote on a bill proposing a ban on the social media platform.
The bill is aimed at forcing the Chinese-owned social media platform to severe ties with China or be banned in the United States.
A “threat to national security” has been cited by US officials as a major reason behind propositions for the app to be banned.
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The owners of TikTok have rejected the national security threat motive on several occasions, as Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin accused the United States government of “suppressing TikTok” despite not finding any evidence to prove that the app “threatens national security.”
“This kind of bullying behaviour that cannot win in fair competition disrupts companies’ normal business activity, damages the confidence of international investors in the investment environment, and damages the normal international economic and trade order,” Mr. Wang said.
“In the end, this will inevitably come back to bite the United States itself.”
Just like every other app, TikTok is banned in China. Chinese citizens use an app similar to TikTok known as Duoyin, which is only operational in China and strictly monitored and censored by the Chinese government.
The US House is expected to vote on the bill by 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) on Wednesday.
If it gets the nod, it will be moved to the Senate at the Capitol Hill. If the Capitol approves the bill, President Biden will sign it into law.