BEIJING, China: China said it expects companies involved in negotiations over TikTok's U.S. operations to pursue solutions that respect Chinese law and fairly reflect the interests of all sides, as scrutiny of the video app's future in the United States continues.
Responding to questions about the transfer of TikTok's U.S. business, a spokesperson for China's commerce ministry said Beijing hoped any arrangements would be lawful and balanced.
TikTok's Chinese parent, ByteDance, last week signed binding agreements to hand control of the app's U.S. operations to a group of American and global investors, including Oracle. The move marked a significant step toward avoiding a potential U.S. ban and ending years of uncertainty surrounding the popular short-video platform.
China's Ministry of Commerce said it was closely following developments related to the deal.
"It is hoped that the U.S. side will work with China in the same direction, earnestly fulfill its corresponding commitments, provide a fair, open, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for the continuous and stable operation of Chinese enterprises in the U.S.," spokesperson He Yongqian (pictured) told a regular press briefing.
The comments underscore Beijing's insistence that any outcome involving TikTok should comply with domestic regulations, including China's rules governing technology and data exports, while also preserving the commercial interests of Chinese firms operating overseas.
The TikTok negotiations have been a flashpoint in broader U.S.-China tensions over technology, national security, and market access. Washington has argued that Chinese ownership of the app poses security risks, a claim Beijing has repeatedly rejected.
Last week's agreement by ByteDance to cede control of TikTok's U.S. operations to a new investor-led structure was widely viewed as a breakthrough, though details of the arrangement continue to draw attention from regulators and policymakers on both sides of the Pacific.
Chinese officials reiterated on December 25 that they expect dialogue and cooperation rather than unilateral pressure to guide the next steps in the process, as talks over the app's future move forward.
