China demands India rescind app ban amid border tension
China cautions it could further damage Sino-Indian relations
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Your support makes all the difference.Beijing on Wednesday expressed “serious concerns” over India’s decision to ban another 43 Chinese smartphone applications, calling on Delhi to “immediately correct its discriminatory approach”.
It comes after the Indian government blocked access to the Chinese apps on what it called security grounds, claiming that the apps in question were “engaging in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.
The decision has taken the number of Chinese applications banned by India since June past 200, in a series of crackdowns that come as the two countries engage in a major military standoff in the Ladakh region.
China’s foreign ministry said it had “serious concerns” over India’s claims regarding the apps.
“For four times since June, India has imposed restrictions on smartphone apps with Chinese backgrounds under the pretext of national security. These moves in glaring violation of market principles and WTO rules severely harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. China firmly rejects them,” said spokesperson Zhao Lijian while replying to a query about India’s ban on Wednesday.
Mr Zhao said that the Chinese government always “asks Chinese companies to observe international rules” and “local laws and regulations when doing business overseas.”
He said the Indian government has the “responsibility to follow market principles and protect the lawful rights and interests of international investors including Chinese companies.”
“China-India economic and trade cooperation, by nature, is mutually beneficial. India should immediately correct its discriminatory approach and avoid causing further damage to bilateral cooperation.”
India was one of the first countries to move against Chinese apps including the hugely popular TikTok, but has since been followed by other governments including the Trump administration in the US, which ordered TikTok to sell its US operation.
Meanwhile, China’s embassy in India also opposed the move to prohibit some mobile phone applications with “Chinese background” and said it hoped that India “provides a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory business environment for all market players from various countries including China” and rectify the “discriminatory practices” violating the rules of the World Trade Organisation.
“China and India are opportunities for development to each other rather than threats," said Ji Rong, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India. “Both sides should bring bilateral economic and trade relations back to the right path for mutual benefit and win-win results on the basis of dialogue and negotiation.”
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