Chinese FM urges Europe to respect market economy after Irish regulator reportedly launches probe into TikTok
When asked to comment on reports that an Irish regulator helping to oversee EU data privacy has launched an investigation into TikTok over the alleged "transfer of European users' personal data to servers in China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that the Chinese government attaches great importance to and protects data privacy and security in accordance with the law. It has never and will never require enterprises or individuals to collect or store data in illegal ways.
According to Reuters, the new inquiry by TikTok's lead regulator in the EU, as its European headquarters is located in Ireland, will look specifically at the storage of data in China.
"China hopes that the European side will earnestly respect the principles of market economy and fair competition and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises from all countries," Mao said.
Recently, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen made several accusations against China on issues related to market access, subsidies, government procurement, export controls, and overcapacity in a speech.
In response, He Yongqian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), on Thursday sharply rebuked the criticisms, calling the EU's allegations on overcapacity, market access and other issues "unfounded."
"In fact, the relevant remarks made by the EU leader do not truly reflect the current state of China-EU economic and trade relations, nor do they reflect the positive progress made in the dialogue and communication between the economic and trade authorities of the two sides," He said.
The MOFCOM spokesperson also urged the EU to view bilateral economic and trade relations without emotion and prejudice, with fewer accusations and more communication, less protection and more openness, less anxiety and more action, and less labeling and more consultations.
China is willing to work with the EU to mutually expand two-way market access, strengthen dialogue on government procurement and export controls, deepen supply chain cooperation, and promote WTO reforms, in a bid to inject more stability, certainty, and positive energy into building an open world economy, He said.