TikTok Global's return in the US has soon been followed by calls from Beijing for the app to determine its own future after Donald Trump flagged plans for partial ownership.
A brief blackout saw the video-sharing app briefly removed for its 170 million US users on Saturday, ahead of a law enforcing its nationwide ban coming into force on Sunday.
However, services were restored 14 hours later after Trump said he would sign an executive order for its reinstatement upon retaking office on Monday.
Trump also said in a social media post that he wanted the US to have a 50%-ownership position in the app to “save TikTok” and “keep it in good hands”.
Though no further detail was given, Beijing on Monday warned any acquisition would need to comply with Chinese laws and regulations in response.
“[Decisions] should be determined independently by companies themselves,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a press briefing.
She also called on the US to offer an open and fair business environment for global companies.
TikTok’s effective ban had been based on a law requiring Beijing-based ByteDance to sell or otherwise shut down its US operations.
Under rules created in 2020, deals involving the likes of algorithms developed in China to foreign third parties require government approval.