China never allows firms, individuals to hand over data gathered abroad, FM on Musk's remarks questioning TikTok

In response to a foreign media question on China's response to Elon Musk's remarks questioning whether the US should allow platforms like TikTok to operate, claiming it has the potential to collect data on Americans and control the content broadcast to millions of people in the US, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that China has always believed that internet companies should comply with local laws and regulations.

As for the Chinese government, we attach great importance to protecting data privacy and security in accordance with the law, and we have never and will never require companies or individuals to collect or provide data located abroad against local laws, Mao said. 

Also when asked by another foreign media reporter about the remarks made by Elon Musk on Sunday on X claiming that "the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China is 'unbalanced,' and something needs to change," Mao said on Monday that the Chinese government manages the internet in accordance with the law, and we welcome internet enterprises from all countries to develop in China as long as they comply with Chinese laws and regulations and provide safe and reliable products and services.