China appears to have softened its stance on the possible sale of TikTok’s US operations and is now perhaps open to the idea. The change emerged in

China ever-so slightly softens stance on possible US TikTok sale

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2025-01-21 01:00:04

China appears to have softened its stance on the possible sale of TikTok’s US operations and is now perhaps open to the idea.

The change emerged in the daily briefing of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a daily Q&A between a Ministry spokesperson and media from around the world. Beijing rates the briefing as sufficiently important that it publishes a transcript of each session.

When the US government first passed the law that forces TikTok’s owner ByteDance to divest its US operations or shutter the service stateside, the Ministry spokesperson criticized it strongly, stating that it “puts the US on the wrong side of the principles of fair competition and international trade rules.” China also protested the US had not produced evidence to back claims that TikTok represents a national security risk.

China’s Ministry of Commerce also publishes transcripts of some press conferences, and in March 2023 a spokesperson commented that China will “resolutely oppose” any forced sale.