China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday that it will conduct a legal review of the TikTok issue, reaffirming its commitment to protect the rights of Chinese companies amid growing global scrutiny of the popular social media platform. The statement emphasized China's 'clear and consistent' stance on safeguarding domestic firms operating abroad.
The move comes as TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, faces regulatory challenges in multiple countries over data security concerns. Analysts suggest the review could shape cross-border tech governance frameworks and influence how Asian tech giants navigate international markets.
While the ministry did not specify which laws would guide the review, experts note China's recent updates to its Data Security Law and Personal Information Protection Law create a robust legal foundation for such evaluations. 'This demonstrates China's systematic approach to balancing economic globalization with national security priorities,' said tech policy researcher Li Wei.
The announcement has drawn attention from global investors monitoring Asia's digital economy, valued at over $3 trillion. Business leaders anticipate the review could set precedents for how Chinese platforms collaborate with overseas partners while complying with domestic regulations.
