Chinese Government Signals Openness to New TikTok Ownership Deal

Chinese Government Signals Openness to New TikTok Ownership Deal

By Marcus Hartley

January 20, 2025 at 08:19 PM

China's Foreign Ministry has signaled potential openness to a TikTok ownership deal with the United States, marking a shift from its previous hardline stance against forced sales.

During a recent press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to questions about Trump's proposed 50% US ownership joint venture. She emphasized TikTok's positive impact on US employment and consumption, calling for a "fair and non-discriminatory business environment."

Woman speaking at Chinese government event

Woman speaking at Chinese government event

Key points from China's new position:

  • Business operations and acquisitions should be decided independently by companies
  • Any deal must comply with Chinese laws and regulations
  • Chinese government appears more flexible compared to previous opposition
  • TikTok service has been restored in the US after brief interruption

Important considerations:

  • China's 2020 export restrictions on AI technologies, including personalized content recommendation algorithms, remain in effect
  • These restrictions could impact TikTok's 'Discover' algorithm in any potential US deal
  • The law mandating TikTok's ban passed in April 2024 but service was quickly restored

TikTok billboard with weekend text

TikTok billboard with weekend text

This development follows discussions between TikTok founder Zhang Yiming and Elon Musk last year, as Congressional pressure mounted toward a potential ban. While China's new stance suggests room for negotiation, any deal would need to navigate complex regulatory requirements from both countries.

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