BEIJING: China on Monday reiterated its stance on TikTok, following comments by US President Donald Trump that a “group of wealthy individuals” intends to purchase the popular social media platform, a deal that would require approval from the Chinese government.
China “reiterates its position… I have nothing to add,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news conference in Beijing.
China has previously lauded the ‘positive role’ played by TikTok in promoting domestic employment and boosting consumption in the US.
Regarding business operations and acquisitions: “They should be independently decided based on market principles,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said in January.
“If Chinese companies are involved, such actions should comply with Chinese laws and regulations,” Guo said.
“We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way,” Trump said in an interview on Fox’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.
“Very wealthy people. It’s a group of wealthy people,” the president said, without revealing more except to say he would make their identities known “in about two weeks.”
The president also said he would likely need “China’s approval” for the sale, and I think President Xi (Jinping) will probably do it.”
TikTok is owned by China-based internet company ByteDance.
A federal law requiring TikTok’s sale or ban on national security grounds was due to take effect the day before Trump’s inauguration on January 20. But the Republican, whose 2024 election campaign relied heavily on social media and who has said he is fond of TikTok, put the ban on pause.
In mid-June Trump extended a deadline for the popular video-sharing app by another 90 days to find a non-Chinese buyer or be banned in the United States.
