China has threatened retaliation against the U.S. after President Biden signed a $95 billion aid package aimed at countering Chinese influence and mandating TikTok's divestiture.
The Chinese government has issued a stark warning of potential retaliation in response to a new U.S. foreign aid package that President Biden signed into law on Wednesday. The $95 billion aid package, with its substantial implications for Taiwan and the fate of the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, has escalated tensions between the United States and China.
According to Fox News, the legislation includes a $2 billion provision to replenish American weapons previously supplied to Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific allies, aiming to counteract Chinese influence and perceived aggression in the region. Furthermore, the law stipulates that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, must divest the app within nine months, or face a ban on its operation in the United States.
In a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated, "China firmly rejects the U.S. passing and signing into law the military aid package containing negative content on China. We have lodged serious representations to the U.S."
Lin Jian further elaborated on China's stance, saying, "This package gravely infringes upon China's sovereignty. It includes large military aid to Taiwan, which seriously violates the one-China principle, and sends a seriously wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces." He also criticized the targeting of TikTok, condemning it as an act that "undermines the principles of market economy and fair competition by wantonly going after other countries’ companies in the name of 'national security,' which once again reveals the U.S.’s hegemonic and bullying nature."
The U.S. aid to Taiwan underscores the ongoing ambiguity of the U.S. position on Taiwan's sovereignty. The U.S. has historically maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity, offering support to Taiwan without explicitly recognizing it as an independent nation, thus maintaining a delicate balance in its diplomatic relations with China.
TikTok, which enjoys immense popularity among American youth, especially Generation Z, has become a focal point for bipartisan concerns. Some representatives have expressed alarm over the potential national security risks posed by the app's Chinese ownership, while others worry about the handling of users' private information. The decision to potentially ban TikTok has sparked considerable dissatisfaction among younger American voters, who largely oppose President Biden's signed legislation.
As of now, the situation remains tense, with the Chinese government's threat of retaliation casting a shadow over future U.S.-China relations.
