China says US TikTok vote follows ‘logic of a bandit’

Wang said the vote ‘runs contrary to the principles of fair competition and international economic and trade rules’. — AFP

BEIJING: China on March 14 slammed the approval of a US bill that would ban TikTok unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company, blasting Washington’s “bandit” mentality and vowing Beijing would “take all necessary measures” to protect the interests of its companies overseas.

The short-video app has soared in popularity worldwide but its ownership by Chinese technology giant ByteDance – and alleged subservience to Beijing’s ruling Communist Party – has fuelled concern in Western capitals.