China's Foreign Ministry has indicated a potential shift in stance regarding TikTok's ownership structure in the United States, marking a departure from its previous opposition to any forced sale.

During a recent press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to questions about a possible deal with Trump, who has proposed 50% US ownership in a joint venture. Ning emphasized that TikTok has been beneficial for US employment and consumption, calling for a fair and non-discriminatory business environment.

Key Points from China's Statement:

• Business operations and acquisitions should be decided independently by companies
• Any deal must comply with Chinese laws and regulations
• The platform should receive fair treatment in the US market

Important Context:

• This represents a significant change from China's previous position opposing any forced sale
• TikTok founder Zhang Yiming previously discussed the situation with Elon Musk
• Congress passed a TikTok ban in April 2024, though service was quickly restored

Potential Obstacles: China's 2020 restrictions on AI technology exports, specifically regarding 'personalized content recommendation' algorithms, could complicate any potential deal. This regulation would affect TikTok's core 'Discover' algorithm, a crucial component of the platform's functionality.

The situation remains fluid as stakeholders work to find a solution that satisfies both US security concerns and Chinese regulatory requirements.

Related Articles

Previous Articles