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Beijing has once again reiterated its firm stance on the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, as negotiations with the United States over its future appear to be making headway.

Chinese officials emphasized that TikTok, owned by Beijing-based company ByteDance, must be treated fairly and not subjected to what they describe as \unjust political pressure.\ The remarks come amid ongoing talks between Washington and ByteDance aimed at addressing U.S. concerns over data security and potential foreign influence.

For months, U.S. lawmakers have argued that TikTok poses a national security risk, claiming that American user data could be accessed by the Chinese government. While TikTok has repeatedly denied these allegations, pressure from Washington has forced ByteDance to explore measures such as data localization in the U.S. and partnerships with American technology firms.

China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a statement reaffirming its opposition to any forced sale or ban of TikTok, calling such moves a violation of international trade principles. “We support Chinese enterprises in defending their legitimate rights and interests, and we firmly oppose attempts to weaponize economic and technological issues,” the ministry said.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that negotiations between TikTok and U.S. regulators have made progress, with both sides working toward a framework that could allow the platform to continue operating in America under stricter oversight. The potential deal may involve a U.S.-based entity managing TikTok’s data storage and algorithm transparency.

Analysts say the situation highlights broader tensions between the world’s two largest economies, where technology and national security concerns are increasingly intertwined. While a breakthrough would provide relief to TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users and thousands of American businesses reliant on the platform, any final agreement will likely require delicate diplomacy.

For now, China’s latest reaffirmation signals that it has no intention of backing down, even as talks move forward. The outcome of these negotiations could set a precedent for how global tech companies navigate geopolitical pressures in the future.