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| China wants to have a say in selling Tik Tok |
With the rapid development of science and technology, China has published a revised list of technologies banned or restricted.
An inspection of the Ministry of Commerce website resulted in the removal of four export-restricted technical items and five export-restricted technical items, for example B. Software Firewall Technology.
The change adds 23 new items to the list of banned technologies, including satellite and laser production technologies, services based on data analysis for personal information, and AI interactive interface technologies.
In view of the rapid development of science and technology and the continuous improvement of China's scientific and technological strength and industrial competitiveness, the ministry said on its website, the list needs to be revised in accordance with international practices.
The rise of China's science and technology industries has long been a source of disruption to trade with the United States, and the list was last revised in 2008.
A Chinese trade expert told official media: The new Chinese regulations on technology exports mean that the sale of ByteDance to the US company Tik Tok may require approval from Beijing, which will complicate the mandatory divestment process.
President Donald Trump has instructed ByteDance to pull the short TikTok video app in the US for security reasons regarding the personal data it processes.
Microsoft and Oracle are trying to acquire TikTok companies in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
With this in mind, China has revised the list of technologies that have been banned or restricted for the first time in 12 years. Cui Fan, professor of international business at the Beijing University of International Business and Economics, said the changes will apply to Tik Tok.
Fan said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency, if ByteDance plans to export the related technology, it must go through a licensing process and it may take 30 days to obtain initial approval to export the technology.
TikTok's secret weapon is seen as a recommendation engine that keeps users on screen. This engine or algorithm can run a "For You" page on TikTok, which will suggest you watch the following video based on an analysis of your behavior.
Fan noted that ByteDance's overseas development depends on its in-house technology that provides basic algorithms: The company may need to transfer the code or usage rights from China to the new owner of TikTok overseas.
He added, "It is recommended that BiteDance consider the revised list carefully and consider carefully whether there is a need to suspend negotiations on the sale."
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it rejects Trump's TikTok decree and that Beijing will defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.