China cautions U.S. against enacting TikTok law, giving aid to Taiwan

A Chinese spokesman hinted on Monday that Beijing will retaliate against the U.S. if it executes two anti-Chinese measures that its Congress passed last week.

Congress approved a package of bills that included a measure requiring TikTok to divest its social media platform in the United States and funds to strengthen Taiwan's military defences.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the law approving the military aid package, the most of which will go to Israel and Ukraine to aid them in repelling an invasion by Russia.

The bills provided $26 billion for Israel, $61 billion for the Ukraine, and $1 billion for humanitarian help to Gaza. Some $8 billion in military aid was also approved for Taiwan. For China, there is a "red line" in the package that the US should not cross.

Biden also signed a separate bill tied to the aid legislation that bans TikTok in the United States if its Chinese owner ByteDance fails to divest the app over the next nine months to a year.

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s speaking at the regular press conference on March 29, 2024. (China MOFA)

Chinese Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Lin Jian urged the United States not to implement the “negative, China-related” parts of the legislation.

Without providing further details, Lin declared, "China will take resolute and forceful steps to firmly defend its own security and development interests if the United States clings obstinately to its course."

Even in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, the United States remains Taiwan's most significant overseas supporter and arms supplier.

China, which considers Taiwan to be its own territory, has insisted on an end to military sales on several occasions.

Taiwan, which disputes China's claims to sovereignty, has praised the new law.