China warns that banning TikTok could have negative consequences for the United States

China warns that banning TikTok could have negative consequences for the United States.

China has issued a warning about the potential consequences of a proposed TikTok ban for the US, just ahead of a crucial congressional vote that could determine the fate of the popular app.

The bill being discussed in the House of Representatives would compel TikTok, owned by a Chinese company, to either cut ties with China or face being banned in the US. Concerns over national security have been cited by US officials as the primary reason for the proposed ban.

Despite repeated assurances from TikTok's owners that the app poses no security threat, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin criticized the US for what he termed as "suppressing TikTok." He emphasized that the US had never produced evidence to support claims of national security risks posed by the app.

Wang warned that such actions, perceived as bullying and unfair competition, could have repercussions for the US in the future.

Chinese media also weighed in on the issue, lambasting the US for its efforts to ban TikTok. Some newspapers published satirical cartoons mocking the US, accusing it of abusing the notion of national security to forcefully take control of the app.

TikTok, like many other social media platforms, is already banned in China. Chinese users utilize a similar app called Duoyin, which operates under strict government monitoring and censorship.

The House vote on the bill, officially titled the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, is scheduled to take place soon. It's anticipated to receive bipartisan support in the House but faces uncertainty in the Senate.

If the bill passes, President Joe Biden has indicated he would sign it into law. This would necessitate ByteDance, the Beijing-based owner of TikTok, to either sell the app within six months or face a ban from US app stores and web hosting platforms.

TikTok has been actively engaging its American users to oppose the ban, prompting criticism from some members of the House China Select Committee. The committee accused TikTok of spreading false claims to manipulate American citizens on behalf of the Chinese government.

Despite these allegations, TikTok has denied any affiliation with the Chinese government and has taken steps to ensure that US user data remains in the US.

Former President Donald Trump previously attempted to ban TikTok in 2020 but was unsuccessful. Interestingly, Trump now opposes the ban, arguing that it would unfairly benefit Facebook.