Following President Joe Biden's recent signing of legislation aimed at bolstering Taiwan's defenses and enforcing divestiture from TikTok by its Chinese owners, China has signaled potential retaliatory actions. The new U.S. laws, which also include significant military aid to Ukraine and Israel, have escalated tensions, prompting a stern response from Beijing.
On Wednesday, President Biden approved a $95 billion aid package, a portion of which is allocated to Taiwan, alongside measures affecting the social media platform TikTok. The legislation stipulates a ban on TikTok in the U.S. unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests within a nine-month to one-year timeframe.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, addressing the media in Beijing, criticized the "negative, China-related" aspects of the new laws and warned of firm countermeasures. "If the United States clings obstinately to its course, China will take resolute and forceful steps to firmly defend its own security and development interests," Lin stated, although specifics of the potential actions were not disclosed.
The backdrop to these developments includes ongoing geopolitical tensions over Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory. The U.S., while lacking formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, remains its most significant international supporter and arms supplier. Taiwan's government has expressed support for the new U.S. legislation, viewing it as beneficial for regional security.
In a direct response to the legislative actions targeting TikTok, ByteDance has indicated through a statement on its Toutiao platform that it has no plans to sell the app. This sets the stage for a potential standoff with U.S. regulatory authorities as the deadline approaches.
During a speech at the White House, President Biden highlighted the broader implications of the aid package, stating, "This will strengthen our security and global security: today is a great day for the country, for Europe, and for world peace." However, this positive framing contrasts sharply with the reaction from Beijing, which sees these moves as escalatory.
The tension around TikTok stems from longstanding concerns about data security and the potential for Chinese government access to information on U.S. citizens. The new law represents a significant escalation in the U.S. government's approach to addressing these concerns, moving beyond mere warnings and placing direct pressure on ByteDance to divest.
