The Chinese government is finally speaking up about major changes to TikTok’s operations in the United States. On Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce addressed the recent news that ByteDance, the Chinese owner of the popular video app, is handing over control of its U.S. business to American investors. He Yongqian, a spokesperson for the ministry, made it clear that while they want to see a resolution, any deal must strictly comply with Chinese law.
This reaction follows a busy week for ByteDance. The company recently signed binding agreements to transfer the management of TikTok’s U.S. arm to a group of investors, with tech giant Oracle playing a leading role. For ByteDance, this move is a necessary survival tactic. The company has faced years of uncertainty and the constant threat of a total ban in the U.S. market. This handover is their attempt to satisfy American security concerns and keep the app running on millions of phones across the country.
However, Beijing wants to ensure that ByteDance doesn’t give away too much in its effort to please Washington. He Yongqian stated that the government expects companies to reach solutions that balance the interests of everyone involved. She emphasized that these deals must comply with regulations back home in China, suggesting that Beijing will not approve a deal if it violates their technology export rules or compromises national interests.
The spokesperson also had a direct message for the U.S. government. She urged American officials to meet China halfway. According to her statement, the U.S. needs to fulfill its own commitments and stop putting up roadblocks. She called for a “fair, open, transparent, and non-discriminatory” environment for Chinese businesses operating in the United States.
China is asking for a level playing field. They want the U.S. to stop targeting companies solely because of their Chinese ownership. As ByteDance moves forward with Oracle and other investors, it remains stuck in a difficult spot between two superpowers. The company has to satisfy U.S. regulators who demand data security while simultaneously complying with strict oversight from Beijing, which is refusing to be pushed around.
