China slams US ‘bullying’ over Tiktok, WeChat

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SHANGHAI, Sept 19, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – China on Saturday accused the United
States of “bullying” and suggested it may take unspecified countermeasures
after Washington banned downloads of popular video app TikTok and effectively
blocked the use of the Chinese super-app WeChat.

“China urges the US to abandon bullying, cease (its) wrongful actions and
earnestly maintain fair and transparent international rules and order,” a
statement by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said.

“If the US insists on going its own way, China will take necessary
measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of
Chinese companies.”

The United States made the moves against the two Chinese apps on Friday,
citing national security grounds and escalating a fight with Beijing over
digital technology.

Under the order, the Tencent-owned WeChat app would lose functionality in
the United States from Sunday. TikTok users will be banned from installing
updates but could keep accessing the service through November 12.

That timeframe potentially allows for a tie-up between TikTok, owned by
China’s ByteDance, and a US company to safeguard data to allay Washington’s
security concerns.

US officials described Friday’s measures as essential to national security
as President Donald Trump confronts Beijing during a tough re-election
campaign.