Beijing slams ‘bullying’ US over Trump order on Chinese apps

A file photo of the app for Alipay on a smartphone in Beijing. Trump has signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese apps, including Alipay and WeChat Pay. However, the order goes into effect after Biden takes office, so the order’s ultimate fate is unclear. — AP

BEIJING: Beijing accused the US on Jan 6 of “bullying” after President Donald Trump ordered a ban on a series of Chinese apps in his last weeks in office, branding them a threat to national security.

Under the Trump administration Beijing and Washington have clashed repeatedly over trade, technology, human rights and the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.